Micah Richards names four Man Utd players who could get into top six Premier League side
Micah Richards has argued that only four Manchester United players at this current moment could break into a top six side in the Premier League - showcasing their lack of quality across the board
by Abbie Meehan, Edward Easton · The MirrorMicah Richards has claimed that just four Manchester United players would be good enough to play for the Premier League's other biggest clubs.
United’s torrid display against Tottenham on Sunday laid bare the issues Eric Ten Hag is facing at the club, as they slipped down to 12th in the Premier League table.
Weak in possession, unable to defend transitions, and lacking in any sort of discipline – the Red Devils put on a poor showing against a Spurs side who themselves have come under criticism this season. And while fans of the Lilywhites will be hoping the 3-0 win shows they can really kick on under Ange Postecoglou, United supporters will be fearing this season could be a long one.
Ten Hag’s side faced some fierce criticism on Gary Lineker’s The Rest is Football podcast, with Alan Shearer accusing last season’s FA Cup winners of being "miles worse" and having "no identity" despite having spent an absolute fortune. Fellow host Micah Richards compared the attitude of the struggling United players to his own time with relegation-doomed Aston Villa.
“You two (Shearer and Lineker) were at the top of your game until the end, but I’ve been in [a similar] position. It’s not that you’re not trying, all these players are trying. It’s a breakdown between players and manager,” Richards insisted.
Despite all three hosts criticising the performance and what it revealed about United’s hopes for the season, all three agreed that the Red Devils do have quality players that would start for other top six sides.
Talented academy graduate and FA Cup-final goalscorer Kobbie Mainoo was the first name suggested by Richards, along with Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez, club captain Bruno Fernandes – who saw red against Spurs – and Marcus Rashford, who has struggled for form for more than a year now.
Shearer asked the question and Richards started off the conversation by saying: "Mainoo gets into a top six side. Definitely, Fernandes as well, Fernandes when he's on it. Rashford when he's at his best, and Martinez as well.
"Obviously he's been inconsistent with injuries and all that sort of thing. But that would be it."
Shearer argued that his co-host was being "generous" to United by choosing four players that would perform at a high level - showcasing just how serious the problem is at Old Trafford.
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Former Manchester City defender Richards went on to suggest that there was a breakdown of communication at United, and that that has led to players not working for the team.
“You go out on the pitch and you start performing for yourself. I’m going to make sure I’m not the worst player," argued the former England right-back. “I was at Aston Villa… Man United, it's ten times the scrutiny they get. The players and the manager can’t deal with negativity at the club.”
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