“Rashford is very bad”, “Casemiro is done” - Marco van Basten suggests Manchester United have no ‘top player’ in savage claim
Legendary Dutch striker Marco van Basten has claimed that Manchester United don't have a 'top player' in their current squad. He said that they have some good players but no one who could carry the team.
The Red Devils have had a poor start to the 2024-25 season and sit 13th in the Premier League with two wins, one draw and three defeats. They beat Barnsley in the EFL Cup third round but drew against Twente at home in their UEFA Europa League opener.
United suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday, September 29. After the game, Marco van Basten said (via Daily Mail):
"Name me one top player at Manchester United? At every club you see a top player.
"(Marcus) Rashford is very bad. Bruno Fernandes is a good player, (Andre) Onana is a good goalkeeper. That's it. Casemiro is done. (Alejandro) Garnacho is a decent player. But nobody carries that team."
Brennan Johnson opened the scoring in the third minute for Tottenham on Sunday. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was then sent off in the 42nd minute. Spurs added two more goals from Dejan Kulusevski (47') and Dominic Solanke (77') to take all three points.
Erik ten Hag opens up on his future at Manchester United after Tottenham defeat
Erik ten Hag was appointed Manchester United's manager in the summer of 2022. He won the EFL Cup in his first season as they finished third in the Premier League. United then finished their lowest-ever eighth in the league in the 2023-24 season but won the FA Cup.
Ten Hag has come under a lot of criticism during his time at Manchester United for his side's disappointing displays and lack of a recognizable playing style. After United's loss against Tottenham, the Dutchman was asked if he was thinking about his future at the club. He said (via BBC Sport):
"I am not thinking about this. We all made the decision to stay together as ownership and a leadership group in the summer. We made the decision from after a clear review what we have to improve as an organisation and how we want to construct a squad.
"We knew it will take some time, because of how the [transfer] window went, some players late in like [Manuel] Ugarte, also we have to make some improvement in the organisation, we still have to deal with some injuries, also from some impact players.
"I think we will get better there. We need some time. We are all on one page or in one boat together, the ownership, the leadership group, the staff and the players' group as well. I don't have that concern."
Manchester United now have two big away games coming up before the international break. They face FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League on October 3 before clashing against Aston Villa in the Premier League three days later.