Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has asked Erik ten Hag and Sir Jim Ratcliffe to usher in a new era at the team by moving away from the golden days of Sir Alex Ferguson.
INEOS founder Ratcliffe is scheduled to formally arrive at Old Trafford this month. The football project will be managed by the British billionaire, with the Glazers taking a backseat, after it has been approved by the Premier League.
Ratcliffe emphasised in his opening remarks that he wished to restore United’s dominance in Europe as well as at home.
Yorke thinks significant adjustments must be made in order to accomplish this, starting with the manager’s news conferences.
“It really is a mixed bag at the moment and we really don’t know what we are going to get, it really is quite frustrating to look at, at times,” Yorke explained to Sky Sports.
“I think we have to be a little bit clearer in our style of play.
“I think the leadership qualities can be a little bit more assertive, rather than on the back foot. I think we are a little bit on the back foot from the press conference.
“There are always a lot of negatives, and a press conference never starts on an upbeat [note]. It is always trying to fight things off and I think that is something we need to improve on and get that negativity off our backs.
“We need to move forward from the Fergie Era. There has to be a cut-off time when enough is enough and it is time to move the club forward and I feel we are still in a bit of a limbo which is quite frustrating.”
Nobody can disagree with what Yorke has said above. United need to be ruthless and be a team that opponents should fear even before stepping onto the pitch.
There is a clear lack of leadership at the club and with talented young players in the team, the senior players have a more crucial role than they realise.
Yorke’s remarks are mainly aimed at ten Hag who is often on the back foot in his press conferences. Under Ratcliffe, the start has been really promising with appointments off the pitch and results on the pitch.
With new additions to the squad in the summer and the appointment of a sporting director, future is looking positive for the Red Devils.