Pundit lambasts ‘weak’ Man United stars amid Ralf Rangnick claim
Noel Whelan has insisted “questions have got to be asked” of “weak” Man United stars following their opening day loss against Brighton on Sunday (7 August).
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested nothing has changed at Old Trafford since the end of Ralf Rangnick’s interim reign.
Man United, under the stewardship of Erik ten Hag for the first time, slumped to a dismal 2-1 home defeat against Brighton amid a backdrop of protests against the club’s ownership.
Rangnick, who succeeded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021, claimed the Red Devils needed to add as many as 10 new faces this summer before leaving the club in May.
However, Ten Hag has made just three signings thus far – Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, and Lisandro Martinez.
Whelan insisted the quality and work rate of this Man United side is under question.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think the questions have got to be asked of the players now.
“Are they good enough? Can they work hard enough? There are question marks are all over the pitch.
“Fred and McTominay in the midfield were awful, McTominay was lucky to stay on the pitch. Martinez should have given away a penalty to make it 3-0.
“2-1 flattered Man United, in my opinion. It didn’t look like anything had changed at all from the end of last season.
“They looked weak, frail and they’re a very beatable side because of that mentality and that weakness that they possess.”
Rangnick managed to win just 1.45 points per game across his 29 matches as Man United boss.
He was due to take a consultancy role at Old Trafford, but that idea was scrapped after he took the Austria job.
In other news, Ten Hag assistant told to “keep his mouth shut” by pundit after Man United reveal.