MANCHESTER UNITED’S lack of work-rate is “unacceptable” and the players should be ashamed of being out-run by their rivals, according to John Walters. The former Stoke and Burnley striker has lasted the Red Devils under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, questioning the desire of the players following a dreadful run of form. United have won […]
MANCHESTER UNITED’S lack of work-rate is “unacceptable” and the players should be ashamed of being out-run by their rivals, according to John Walters.
The former Stoke and Burnley striker has lasted the Red Devils under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, questioning the desire of the players following a dreadful run of form.
United have won just twice in their last 10 games and are on the brink of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season.
Recent results have led fans and former players alike to question the efforts of a number of United stars and Walters believes they have every right to be concerned.
He told 888sport: “Against the top six at Stoke we used to beat them by work-rate and running yourself into the ground.
“I saw the average running stats for Manchester United over their last seven games and Juan Mata was up there at 11.5k but it went down from there to those with 7 or 8k.
At Stoke if we were playing against a team like United when they’re not as fit, we’ll run all over them.
Jonathan Walters
“For me as a player that is unacceptable. If that was at Manchester City the players wouldn’t be getting in the team.
“Sometimes it’s a cheap dig to blame the fitness of players but you have to be able to compete.
“At Stoke if we were playing against a team like United when they’re not as fit, we’ll run all over them.
“If I was a manager that is a given – you have to out-work teams. I’d be very interested to see the running stats comparing Manchester United with City or Liverpool.
“When you play against Manchester City their defence press quickly and they don’t drop deep so as a striker you don’t get a rest, you have to stay up with them or you’re not onside.
“The way that Pep and Jurgen Klopp have got their teams working is unbelievable.”
Solskjaer took the reigns from the axed Jose Mourinho in December last year and vowed to make his players the hardest working in the Premier League.
But it recently emerged that United run on average half a mile less per game under the Norwegian than they did under Mourinho.
Club-record signing Paul Pogba in particular has come in for criticism after stats revealed he spends more time walking than any other Premier League midfielder.
The Frenchman spends around 64 per cent of his time on the pitch strolling around.
At least that is more movement than fellow countryman Anthony Martial managed in United’s warm-up ahead of their crucial game against Chelsea.
The striker was spotted standing rooted to the spot as his team-mates warmed-up around him, apparently sulking after being left on the bench.
