Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, admitted that several of their players are “not good enough” and “too much paid”, while Ruben Amorim was doing “a super job” at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are 14th in the Premier League, 15 points on drift of fourth place Chelsea, after a gloomy campaign in which Amorim replaced the deceased Erik ten Hag in November.
United was still able to secure Champions League football next season, but should go completely in the Europa League, with the second stage of their last 16-drawing game with Real Sociedad on Thursday.
The club has spent greatly in recent seasons, although the will of Antony and Jadon Sancho, which costs £ 81.5 million and £ 73 million respectively, are currently on loan after he has not outlined in Old Trafford.
Former Real Madrid -midfielder Casemiro arrived for £ 70 million in 2022, while Rasmus Hojlund (£ 72 million) and Andre Onana (£ 47.2 million) became members the following year.
All five players were examined at the Red Devils during their time, while co-owner Ratcliffe also named them in an interview with BBC Sport.
“If you look at the players we have not bought; we buy Antony, we buy Casemiro, we buy Onana, we buy Hojlund, we are buying Sancho,” he said.
“These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we have inherited those things and have to figure it out. It takes us time to leave for a new place in the future of the past.
“Some are not good enough and some are probably paid too much, but for us to form the team for which we are fully responsible and responsible, will take time. We have this period of transformation where we will go from the past to the future.”
Amorim's arrival has no dramatic change of fortunes for United, who have lost nine of their 26 games under his reign.
Nevertheless, the 40-year-old former sporty CP boss has the full support of Ratcliffe.
“If I really look at the team that is available for Ruben, I think he is doing really well, to be honest,” said the 72-year-old.
“I think Ruben is an excellent young manager. I really do that. He is an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time.
“You start to see a glimpse of what Ruben can produce. I think you saw a glimpse against Arsenal. How many players against Arsenal on the couch have recognized?
“How many have a Manchester United shirt ever worn for[heteersteamomdatergeenenploegoveris?Wezijnechtaartaatste10or11men'send-of-the-rightteamplayers'rubberryWearedowntothelast10or11meninthesquadreallyofproperFirst-Teamplayersrubenisdoingasuperjob”[heteersteteamomdatergeenploegoveris?Wezijnechtaandelaatste10of11mannenindeploegechtvandejuisteeersteteamspelersRubendoeteensuperwerk”[thefirstteam asthere’snosquadleft? Wearedowntothelast10or11meninthesquadreallyofproperfirst-teamplayersRubenisdoingasuperjob”
“He is, like most big coaches, being an emotional character. Ruben is not perfect, but I am a great supporter of Ruben,” he said.
“He wants a dressing room that is full of people who are fully committed to winning football matches. He will not tolerate people who do not have 100% of that position. The players must be in the same box.”
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