Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has delivered a scathing verdict on the club’s starting XI in the 2-1 Europa League defeat at Fenerbahce on Thursday, saying there are “not many positives.”
Owen said centre-back Marcos Rojo was “not good enough” and added that he had doubts about whether right-back Matteo Darmian and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin were up to standard.
There were also harsh words for the other players who started in Turkey, with Owen telling BT Sport: “Taking the goalkeeper [David De Gea] out, you’ve got Rojo that’s not good enough, full stop.
“[Paul] Pogba has cost an absolute king’s ransom, he’s obviously injured and has not found his feet yet.
“With Wayne Rooney, confidence is a big issue. He’s obviously not going to get any better now. He scored a goal and let’s hope that’s a bonus for him.
“[Anthony] Martial, last season, was great — but is he doing anything now? I like [Daley] Blind as a footballer. Whether he’s a centre-half? I’m not sure if he’s quick enough, strong enough, but a neat and tidy footballer.
“[Marcus] Rashford is a young kid. [Ander] Herrera — OK, but he cost them a lot of money as well.
“I don’t know where Luke Shaw’s gone. When he came into the squad, we — and everyone around the club — were talking about how this kid could become the best left back in the world, but he looks shot to bits this year.
“Schneiderlin, again, I’m not sure if he is good enough. Darmian, not sure if he’s good enough. There’s the staring XI and there’s not many positives to say.”
The defeat left United third in group A, a point adrift of leaders Fenerbahce and Feyenoord, with all the teams having two games left to play.
Jose Mourinho’s side host Feyenoord on Nov. 24 then travel to Zorya Luhansk on Dec. 8.
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