Micah Richards questioned when Manchester United will begin to show signs of improvement after insisting the club’s problems ‘just seem to continue’ following Saturday’s shock 1-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace.
United lost consecutive Premier League matches at Old Trafford for the first time since November 2021 as Joachim Andersen’s brilliant 25th-minute strike handed the Eagles a valuable three points.
Pressure is mounting on United manager Erik ten Hag, huge swathes of the fanbase want an ownership takeover to go through and there are elements of disarray within the first-team squad as well.
Richards, formerly of Man City, gave an honest appraisal of the ongoing crisis at the Red Devils and berated their ‘disappointing’ run of results that leaves them sitting closer to relegation than the top of the table.
‘Man United are just disappointing, they really are,’ said Richards on BBC‘s Match of the Day.
Manchester United succumbed to a second consecutive Premier League defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday
Joachim Andersen (right) scored the game’s only goal to hand Crystal Palace victory at Old Trafford
First-team players were booed off by sections of Old Trafford after the match
‘The size of the club, the players they have brought in and you’re looking for something every week when they’re going to put it right and it just goes on.
‘They are seven points off the top four, only scored seven goals in seven games this season, everyone else in the top four has scored at least double that and the problems just seem to continue. When will it get better? Hopefully soon,’ he added.
The mentioned problems have plagued United since the start of the season with early optimism quickly extinguished by top sides who have exposed gaping holes in team set-up.
Injuries have been a key issue with United’s defensive ranks struck down so severely that even replacement full-back Sergio Reguilon is now out of action despite being brought in to fill the void left by Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Other pressing concerns have seen United’s midfield struggle to find any rhythm with Mason Mount only just returning to the team after a significant lay-off, while captain Bruno Fernandes has failed to find top form and new striker Rasmus Hojlund yet to score a Premier League goal.
Jadon Sancho’s ongoing feud with Ten Hag has seen the winger banished from first-team training, while regular starter Antony is only just back in training after taking time away from the team to deal with domestic abuse allegations in Brazil.
United have lost four of their opening seven Premier League fixtures this season and went into Saturday’s defeat against Crystal Palace as heavy favourites after their win over Roy Hodgson’s side in the Carabao Cup earlier in the week.
However, a lacklustre and error-ridden performance failed to inspire the Old Trafford crowd who booed players off the pitch at full-time as first-team stars headed back down the tunnel.
United boss Erik ten Hag is coming under huge pressure after a torrid start to the new season
Micah Richards slammed United for their ‘disappointing’ form and lack of goals
Ten Hag later admitted he understood the supporters’ feelings of discontent, explaining: ‘I understand.
‘We play at home and we play Crystal Palace – we have to win, with all respect.
‘I know every game in the Premier League is difficult. You have to play your best and I understand fans expect the best.
‘It’s a bad start and we have to catch up. We have to do better. This isn’t good enough.’
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