Manchester United have been blasted for their ‘stale’, ‘uninventive’ and ‘very lackluster’ performance in the Europa League against AC Milan.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have been accused of approaching Thursday night’s clash ‘like a friendly’ as they drew 1-1 with the Italians in their last-16 first leg at Old Trafford, with 19-year-old Mason Greenwood told he’s lucky to still be playing in the starting XI.
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After claiming a stunning 2-0 victory over Premier League leaders Manchester City over the weekend, halting their arch rivals’ incredible winning streak at 21 games, they were expected to bring their A-game as they took on a team still in the race for the Serie A title.
But instead, talkSPORT pundit Dean Ashton was disappointed that the Red Devils appeared to turn up like they were playing Salford City in a pre-season friendly, in a performance that lacked energy drive or any cutting edge.
And the former Premier League striker didn’t hold as he tore Solskjaer’s side apart for their dismal display.
“I have to say, Manchester United look so average,” he said, speaking live on talkSPORT at Old Trafford.
“No real energy, no intensity. Milan were the better side, they had plenty of time on the ball. The way they’ve set up with a 4-4-2 caused United some real issues.
“United were stale, uninventive, no real intensity in their play, players looking relatively disinterested.
“This is AC Milan! You’re playing AC Milan in the Europa League knockout stages, you’re not playing Salford in a pre-season friendly! That’s how it felt in the first-half and even once they got the goal in the second-half it was the same.
“Very, very lackluster and I thought Milan were excellent, I have to say. I thought they showed real quality and bravery in the way they played, they fully deserved that goal.
“I just think It’s so disappointing from Manchester United on the back of what was a really magnificent performance against Man City, to then come into the next game and for it to be as flat as that.
“You’d think confidence would be high, you’d be desperate to get back out there and perform, but it was just never there, right from the first whistle.
“It was almost like they were happy just to get this game out of the way and, rightly so, they were punished in the end.
“You’d still fancy them to go on and win in the San Siro, but still it’s a really disappointing performance from a lot of the players who played in that game.”
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Ashton also believes teenage ace Greenwood is ‘lucky’ to still be starting games for United given his recent performances.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough campaign last season, bagging 19 goals in all competitions, but he’s been quieter so far this term having managed just four goals and five assists in 36 appearances.
“I’ve watched Mason Greenwood a lot recently, and he hasn’t been very good to be honest,” added Ashton.
“He’s lucky to have kept his place, if i’m really honest.
“I just think he’s very easy to mark, he really only plays in one position, he doesn’t roam, he doesn’t go off into that number ten slot, he doesn’t look to run on behind or spread himself wide.
“He’s just quite easy to be marked a lot of the time and really quite predictable in how he wants to get the ball, take it and shoot.”
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