DWIGHT YORKE has become the latest Manchester United legend to slam Erik ten Hag as he claimed “we’re a million miles away from winning the title.”
United have endured another mixed start to a campaign under Dutch boss Ten Hag, with their 3-0 win at Southampton on Saturday ending a run of two straight defeats.
Grumbling has already started among the fanbase over a clear lack of identity and playing style.
And a supercomputer has predicted that United will emulate last season by finishing a lowly eighth once again.
It now remains to be see if Ten Hag can finally mount a title challenge, with rivals Man City already six points ahead in the table
And one man who feels United are nowhere near top spot is Yorke.
The former strike hit 66 goals in 152 games for the club while winning the Treble in 1999.
He believes Ten Hag is not the right manager to land United’s first title since 2013.
And Yorke also feels that a series of damning stats prove that the Red Devils have a long way to go before challenging for top honours.
He told beIN Sports: “We are a million miles away from winning the Premier League.
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“When talking about the current manager, this was a person to take us forward and we thought after the first season this was the guy.
“What has happened? Yes we have managed to win the FA Cup last season, but where we are doesn’t mean that we’re a good team after winning the cup.
MARCUS RASHFORD scored his first Premier League goal in 189 days as Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory at Southampton.
The Red Devils got back to winning ways after suffering defeats in their last two Prem games, with Matthijs de Ligt notching his first Man Utd goal.
But United had Andre Onana to thank as the keeper kept out Cameron Archer’s penalty at 0-0.
Here’s how SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rated United’s stars…
Andre Onana – 7
Saved the penalty by Cameron Archer, albeit a poor one from the Southampton forward.
But that stop and the stopped rebound proved to be absolutely crucial.
Noussair Mazraouri – 7
Needed treatment after falling awkwardly in the first half but that did not stop him from delivering a solid performance.
Also got forward to good effect before being one of three United defenders to be subbed off.
Matthijs De Ligt – 8
Shaky start defensively but was unmarked to score from Bruno Fernandes cross to calm United’s nerves with the opener.
He was delighted to get his first United goal and dedicated his celebration to his wife’s birthday today.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Not been in great form so anything was an improvement – although Saints’ attack was toothless.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Suffered an absolute shocker of a first half courtesy of Southampton’s tricky wingers.
Conceded the penalty after bringing down Tyler Dibling but was also constantly exposed throughout the half.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
United continue to lean far too heavily on such a young player. And this defensive role does not really suit him.
Christian Eriksen – 7
A surprise starter although United’s two goals came from his corners.
The system, though, still does not play to his strengths as he is too deep.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Cracking corner cross ball from Eriksen who plonked the ball on the head of De Ligt.
Amad Diallo – 7
Looked lively throughout – really encouraging. Teed up Rashford for the second goal.
Joshua Zirkzee – 6
Forced a couple of saves by Aaron Ramsdale but does not look like a 25 goal-a-season striker.
Marcus Rashford – 7
Hopefully the second goal will give him a real confidence boost. Also forced a couple of saves from Aaron Ramsdale.
SUBS
Garnacho (for Rashford 73 mins) 7
Was brutally fouled by Stephens who saw red shortly after coming on. Notched United’s third goal of the game in the final minute.
He struck high into Ramsdale’s high corner after a brilliant ball from Casemiro.
Manuel Ugarte (for Eriksen 73 mins) 6
Harry Maguire (for Mazraouri 74 mins) 6
Jonny Evans (for Martinez 77 mins) 6
“Winning a cup is great, we’ve got to keep the trophy cabinet ticking over.
“But where we are as a football club, the identity in terms of how we play, where we finish, goals conceded, number of goals that we’ve scored is the worst in our history since the Premier League starts in 1992.”
Yorke’s sentiments echoed those of Old Trafford icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who last week sparked a row with Ten Hag after claiming the club “need to rebuild everything”.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo said: “As I told you, Manchester, they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion.
“The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League.
“[As] Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League.
“You have to be, to mentally say, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try.”
While Yorke’s fellow Treble winner Teddy Sheringham has also laid into the state of the club.
He said: “When you’re finishing eighth in the Premier League, that’s quite clearly not good enough, for Man United.
What has happened? Yes we have managed to win the FA Cup last season, but where we are doesn’t mean that we’re a good team after winning the cup.
Dwight Yorke
“Full stop. End of story, for me. You’ve got to change what’s going on.
“When you look at the inconsistency of last season, and that has followed on, without a shadow of the doubt in the first three games of this season… you can see there’s been no change whatsoever.
“Different players, maybe. But still no change in the philosophy, and the way Erik ten Hag wants to play.
“Look, I don’t want to see people getting sacked. It’s not nice to say that people shouldn’t be in certain positions, but he shouldn’t be there. It’s not good enough for Man United.
“They’ve fallen way below the expectancy levels, and to think that it’s alright to finish eighth… it’s just wrong.
“Do I think the manager will be there at the end of the season? No, I don’t. I think he’ll be gone by Christmas.”
