With Manchester Untied’s defeat to Crystal Palace getting reactions from sports media worldwide, even one-time Arsenal misfit Nicklas Bendtner has now joined the party.
The retired centre-forward has been speaking to his Stolpe Ind podcast, and outlet Tipsbladet now features some of his quotes there.
Bendtner highlighted how bad Manchester United were in Monday’s match against the Eagles, pointing out that Erik ten Hag’s side have been difficult to watch.
“It was horrible. Let’s just tell it like it is. But it was collectively that the whole team collapsed. They seemed slow. They seemed tired. They played without motivation and without spirit. They couldn’t even press together. It was such a terrible game of football for 90 minutes that it was painful to watch,” said the former Arsenal player.
“You could see that the Crystal Palace players were just teasing them. I mean, when have you ever seen Crystal Palace players going around teasing Manchester United players because they couldn’t get hold of them? Olise and Eze did whatever they wanted, it was a disgrace to watch. Roy Keane would have been shown a red card. I can reveal that right away.”
“To go to Eriksen’s defence a little bit – if you like – even though it was a terrible performance, it’s him and Mainoo. An older player who hasn’t been known for tackling and heading, and then you have Mainoo, who is 1.70 tall and 18 years old.
“You can’t expect those two in a new constellation with Jonny Evans and Casemiro at the back to play together and do anything. If they don’t link up and win the header duels, they’ll win all the second balls.”
Manchester United now prepare to play their final Premier League games of the season, and it’s exactly Arsenal they’re facing next weekend, in a match which could have big impact on the title race. The Red Devils also face Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
There’s then the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25th, with Erik ten Hag having a chance to win a trophy after such a disappointing season.
