In a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson during Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, Patrice Evra shared the former Scotland manager’s scathing reaction. In the midst of a debacle in the first act, where the Red Devils were already behind and had lost their captain Bruno Fernandes, Evra asked: “Boss, imagine we don’t rush for 45 minutes. What would you do? » Ferguson responded without hesitation: “I would have fined you at least one month’s salary.” This response underlines Ferguson’s frustration with the perceived drop in standards at Old Trafford since his departure.
A generational problem for current managers?
Evra also pointed out the difficulty for coaches in managing the new generation of players, whom he describes as “TikTok generation” : “Before, we ate and slept football. Now they are athletes, brands and even politicians. Too many distractions.” An indirect criticism which partly explains Ten Hag’s difficulties with this group. Ruud van Nistelrooy, former player of the house, will act in the interim to stabilize a club in search of renewal.
