Michael Owen names ‘the sad thing about Man Utd these days’ as ex-Old Trafford hero slams ‘stupid’ new signing
MICHAEL OWEN has named “the sad thing about Manchester United these days” while slamming “stupid” new signing Noussair Mazraoui.
The Red Devils are on a dire run under new boss Ruben Amorim that has seen them lose four of the last six games.
United have conceded 14 goals in that time too.
And their latest loss came on Sunday as Bournemouth ran riot at Old Trafford in a 3-0 win.
The Cherries took advantage of United’s typically slack defending to claim back-to-back victories at the Theatre of Dreams.
Amorim’s men were once again lacking at set pieces as they conceded an easy opener.
But it was a penalty for Bournemouth’s second which really frustrated pundit Owen.
The former United man was left fuming when defender Mazraoui hacked down Justin Kluivert to give away a spot-kick.
And afterwards, he branded the new signing’s decision to lunge as “stupid”, while also lamenting United’s inability to fight back when going a goal down.
Owen told Premier League Productions: “A little rash? A little stupid, more like. What on earth are you doing?
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“Two players are waiting for him, he’s not going to score from there and he dives in.
“Just stay on your feet and usher him away. It’s just a poor, poor decision. The sad thing about Manchester United these days is they go 1-0 down and you never really think they’re going to come back.
“They’re not a good team. Ruben Amorim needs to be watching that game and ensure these players that are not performing do not put on the shirt again.
“He needs to be that brutal and that ruthless.”
Mazraoui, 27, joined United in the summer from Bayern Munich for just over £12million.
He has already played 25 times in all competitions for his new side and been hailed as the best bit of business the club has done for some time.
But it remains unclear where he fits in to Amorim’s system.
Mazraoui, a right-back in a four-man defence by trade, has been utilised as both a wing-back and a centre-half in United’s 3-4-3 formation.
Yet it was Erik ten Hag who really tried to prove Mazraoui’s versatility by using his former Ajax star as an attacking No10 playmaker in United’s 1-1 Europa League draw at Fenerbahce in October.
Man Utd ratings vs Bournemouth as Malacia is hooked after horror first half
RUBEN AMORIM suffered his worst defeat of his short reign as Man Utd boss with a shocking 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
And his flops were easily second best all over the park to Andoni Iraola’s Cherries.
SunSport’s Ian Whittell has provided his ratings of the Man United squad…
Andre Onana – 5
Shaky on ball and his nervousness in holding it too long was transmitted to United supporters.
Bad conditions for a keeper but there were also some uncertain moments when he needed two attempts to grasp on to long shots.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4
Complained bitterly about the penalty he gave away but it was hard to make a case in his defence.
Caught out, then panicked and tripped Justin Kluivert from behind to cap what was already an uninspiring display.
Harry Maguire – 4
All too often was second to the ball or simply failed to get hold of his man, with Evanilson too elusive for the United defender to shackle.
Ruben Amorim believes Maguire is perfect for his three-at-the-back formation but the jury is still out on that one.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Stood watching as Semenyo swept in Bournemouth’s third goal, the latest in a long line of defensive embarrassments from United.
Seems to be struggling, like most of his defensive team mates, with the new system and incapable of doing even the basics.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Made a couple of good blocks and tried to become involved in attacking moments from wing-back, without having a huge impact.
On a day when United’s defence was again found wanting, however, he was not the worst culprit.
Manuel Ugarte
Booked for a cynical foul on Kluivert and too often struggled to cope with Bournemouth runners.
Too much of the game passed him by and did not last even the hour as United chased the game.
Kobbie Mainoo 6
Like most of his team, guilty of some unforced errors but there was no faulting his work rate or drive.
Created a great chance when he hounded Dean Huijsen off the ball and set up Bruno Fernandes but gave up the ball for Bournemouth’s third.
Tyrell Malacia 3
Terrible touch early on drew groans from the home fans, the first of a number of sloppy moments from the fit-again full-back.
Predictable that he should give away the free-kick from which the visitors opened the scoring and hooked at half-time.
Amad Diallo 7
The big winner from the Rashford controversy and could have lit up Old Trafford early on but placed a good chance straight at the keeper.
Not a performance on a par with his derby exploits but still looked United’s best hope of carving out a goal.
Bruno Fernandes 8
Playing higher, and wider, up the field these days and maybe there is a debate over whether that is the best use of his undoubted talents.
But in the last five minutes of the first half alone, he had three good chances which might have brought an equaliser.
Joshua Zirkzee 5
Given the nod ahead of Rasmus Hojlund, a reward for some decent recent performances under his new manager but this was not one of them.
Was the closest Red to Dean Huijsen as he headed Bournemouth in front though United’s defending was such a mess, it was not clear whether he was Zirkzee’s responsibility.
Substitutes
Leny Yoro (for Malacia, 46) 4
Came on as part of a much-needed half-time defensive reshuffle by Amorim but failed to add stability.
Alejandro Garnacho (for Ugarte, 54) 5
Had a chance when clean through just after Bournemouth’s third but hit it straight at Kepa.
Rasmus Hojlund (for Zirkzee, 54) 6
Looked like he might have a goal in him and at least forced Kepa into one good stop.
Substitutes (not used): Altay Bayindir, Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, Antony.