In recent weeks, there has been a stream of Manchester United players who have gone rogue and speak, sometimes negatively, about the club.
While supporters have largely embraced the players’ audacity and bravery to speak out against their employers, it’s no secret that their revelations publicly damage the club’s reputation.
Eric Bailly, who is currently on loan from United with Marseille, accused the Red Devils of favoring English players, in a thinly veiled attack on Harry Maguire, sometimes at the cost of winning.
Anthony Martial recently gave an explosive interview in which he accused Ole Gunnar Solksjaer of playing with him injured, calling his treatment an injustice.
Dean Henderson, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, has also pointed the finger of blame at the club for lying to him about his playing time and hampering his development.
In an exercise conducted by The Athletic in which fans were allowed to ask Laurie Whitwell questions, the subject of rogue players and what United are planning to prevent such incidents from happening came up.
Of Martial, Bailly and Henderson Whitwell said: “They had all experienced a build-up of frustrations over several months, if not years. It does not reflect well on the operation of United that players are prepared to go on record with their complaints, and the concerns they raise demand consideration.”
“Players want to protect their reputation and show that they care. Regarding the trio you mention, United can dispute some versions of what happened. It is unlikely that any of them will face a penalty.”
On United’s strategy to deal with these issues and prevent players from speaking ill of the club, he said that “Generally, United have moved into a position of seeing value in players speaking to the media.”
“It increases the connection between them and the fans, a bond that seems severely damaged over the last year.”
“It encourages honest talking in the locker room.”
The trustworthy journalist also said that this strategy is spearheaded by Erik ten Hag, who wants brave characters on his team who are not afraid to air their thoughts and opinions.
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