'No top European club would want a single Man Utd player - that's where they're at'

Ex-Manchester United assistant Rene Meulensteen has torn into the calibre of player at Old Trafford as he claimed no elite European outfit would take a single one of their individuals

Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen claimed none of the current squad would be wanted by any of Europe's elite clubs.

Meulensteen worked under Sir Alex Ferguson during United's unprecedented era of domination in the Premier League and is dismayed at how far the club has fallen in the past 11 years. United are currently 13th in the Premier League, after three defeats from their opening six fixtures, with boss Erik ten Hag fighting to prove he deserves to keep his job.

Ten Hag also presided over a woeful 1-1 draw at home to FC Twente in United's Europa League opener and knows he cannot afford to lose away to Porto tonight. In a damning assessment of the current squad, Meulensteen said none of Europe's top clubs would want any of United's players, in contrast to the Ferguson era, when they were in demand.

“If you look at all great teams past and present, you can highlight those individuals that are pulling the strings, those players of the calibre to play for Manchester United,” said Meulensteen. “They have to be those difference makers.

“They are the ones that paint the story of the game, that's what good players do, and at this moment in time, there's none of them really at Manchester United. What I always used to discuss with Sir Alex and we were top of the tree, if you look at the clubs in second, third, fourth and fifth, how many players would they want to steal from us? Maybe eight players at that time.

“I said how many would Real Madrid, AC Milan, all those big foreign clubs want to steal from us, probably three or four. That is a sign of a really good squad. If you ask the question now, how many of the competitors would come and shop at United?”

Meulensteen said he would be open to returning to United to help his old club and revealed he has a close relationship with current first-team coach and former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

“Ruud and I know each other really well because I worked with him and always stayed in touch,” said Meulensteen. “I rate him highly, I think he jumped the ship at PSV a little bit too soon, he was doing really well.

“If I jump into a job, I want to make sure that I'd be able to make a difference, not to make up the numbers. I also have to make sure not to kick myself because if I go back into Manchester United, I would walk back into something I probably wouldn't recognise.

“If Ruud would come calling, you would help him, of course you would, you would talk to him and say 'okay, what can I do for you?'”

Meulensteen also accused United's current players of betraying the club's principles and rich history of attacking football, with ten Hag's side having scored just five goals in six league games.

“Whether you defend high up with a press, or in a middle block or in a low block, there are principles,” Meulensteen told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast. “You have the players to make the team understand those principles. That doesn't change from week to week or game to game.

“What is happening with United, if they do press, they're isolated and that's been the problem, so there's no connection. With Alex Ferguson, when he promoted me to first team coach, he had a flip chart board for exactly how he wanted United to play, from a defensive point of view, from a transition point of view, and set pieces.

“Then he said this is the most important one, this is how I want United to attack, with pace, power, penetration and unpredictability, those four things, and I want you to instil that in that team every single day no matter what you do.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky Sports deal

Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)

Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.

Sky
Get the deal here