Gary Neville has voiced his latest concerns over the Glazer families ownership of Manchester United.
The Glazers have faced a turbulent few years as the club’s owners, which has seen them fail to deliver a trophy since the Europa League success back in 2017. United have failed to reach the heights of their former glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson and many have pinned the blame on the owners, while others have leaned towards the manager.
In their latest disappointing setback, The Red Devils suffered a shock early exit in the Champions League when they were beaten by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday at Old Trafford. The two teams entered the second-leg finely poised after a 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano in the first match-up.
Anthony Elanga had come up with the equaliser in the 80th minute to cancel out Joao Felix’s early effort. But it all went wrong for United and interim boss Ralf Rangnick on Tuesday when Renan Lodi’s strike proved to be the difference between the two sides as Diego Simeone’s team progressed to the final eight.
When asked to share his thoughts on the matter following Tuesday’s exit, Neville insisted the blame lies with the owners and not with Rangnick. “I don’t blame Ralf Rangnick, there’s big players in this club, there’s big problems in this club, the owners are not good enough, the owners need to sell the club I’ve said that all season,” he told tv2.
United now face the prospect of potentially not making it back into Europe’s premier club competition next season, meaning Cristiano Ronaldo may never play Champions League football again. The Red Devils lie in fifth place in the Premier League table with 50 points from 29 games.
Will Man Utd make the top four this season? Let us know in the comments section.
Rangnick’s side are one point behind Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal having played two more games and are only two ahead of Tottenham – who also have a game in hand. Who will be in charge next season remains to be seen, but it’s unlikely to be Rangnick.
The German interim boss looks set to step aside at the end of the current campaign with several big-name managers being touted as his potential successor. Chelsea ’s Thomas Tuchel, Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag all continue to be linked with the managerial post at Old Trafford.
United will now have more than two weeks off before they kick a ball again due to the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend as well as the upcoming international break. The Red Devils will then switch their focus back to the Premier League where they will play host to Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester at Old Trafford on April 2.
United then face a trip to Goodison Park to play Everton a week later, before they entertain relegation favourites Norwich on April 16.
