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Regardless of whether they are losing or winning, there is perhaps no other club in the world that generates as much discussion as Manchester United.
From former players, staff and executives to pundits, legends and “insiders”, everyone has an opinion on the club.
It is therefore no surprise to see Mike Phelan’s latest comments on the situation at Old Trafford.
Speaking on Stadium Astro’s YouTube channel, Phelan said he was not surprised the club had problems with Erik ten Hag.
Unsurprisingly, he pointed to the team’s offensive problems as the main reason behind this status, with United already out of two competitions and facing an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League.
He hinted that part of the blame also lay with Ten Hag, pointing to a “lack of selection consistency” in attack as the reason he has struggled to fit in with the players.
United have struggled with Rasmus Hojlund at the top this season as the youngster has taken time to get used to the rigors of English football.
While he now appears to be on the mend, there is still a lot to ask of the player, something Phelan agreed with.
He said: “He is still picking up the pieces of how to be a Manchester United striker, and I think you are right, it is a work in progress, but the time you have is limited if you wear that shirt. And if you get to those positions you have to score goals.”
Phelan spoke of the successful United teams of yesteryear, a common theme when people linked to the club talk about it.
He said that in those teams there were goals spread throughout the XI and there were several players who were real goal threats.
The former United assistant coach said that is no longer the case at Old Trafford, so it is “not surprising in some respects” that United have struggled.
Phelan speaks from a position of authority, as before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure collapsed, United were regularly scoring goals from all over the pitch.
