Teddy Sheringham hits out at Man Utd chief Omar Berrada's ‘dreamlike' comments
The Red Devils are reeling from their worst top-flight campaign in 51 years after they stumbled home 15th and missed out on European football by losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
Rivals Liverpool rubbed salt into the wound by equalling United's record of 20 English league titles – their second since the Old Trafford club last lifted the Premier League when Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out as champion in 2013.
Ruben Amorim's side look some way off challenging and fulfilling the club's 'Project 150' vision to mark their 150th anniversary in 2028 by winning both the men's and women's league titles.
Chief executive Berrada this month underlined his confidence in fulfilling the goal and told United We Stand 'I firmly believe that we can do it' – but Sheringham thinks such a timescale can be unhelpful.
'Omar Berrada's comments are dreamlike,' the former United striker told Sky Bet. 'In football clubs, you've got to have small steps to get to places and if you see those small steps and are encouraged and moving in the right direction, that's when you start looking positively (at the future).
'But when people come out with quotes like that, it can be pie in the sky when you've got to give the manager time to get things right.'
Quite whether Amorim will get that patience and belief is another thing given the Portuguese's struggles since taking charge in November.
The United head coach retains the hierarchy's backing, but Sheringham says he can ill afford a slow start to the season.
'For Manchester United, the results must improve,' the 1999 treble winner said. 'It can't go on like this.
'The way the talk is – 'it's alright, we're gearing for next year, everything is OK for next season' – but I think they're a long way off being anything like the Manchester United of old and the pressure will be on Ruben Amorim, without a doubt.
'If he starts the season like the end of last season, there is only one way things will go.'
Sheringham hopes United come out 'all guns blazing and rip Arsenal apart' in their season opener on August 17, when Amorim will be hoping to have more firepower in place.
Matheus Cunha has joined from Wolves and the Red Devils are pushing to sign Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, but questions remain about the striker position given Rasmus Hojlund's struggles
'We've been speaking about Rasmus Hojlund for a good couple of years now,' Sheringham said. 'First and foremost, I still think he's a decent striker, I just think he's been starved of service at Manchester United.
'The way they play, they play with two out-and-out wingers, no real support apart from Bruno Fernandes getting forward. It's all about the service for centre-forwards and he's had none.
'I struggle to think about any striker that you could put in there, that would suffer from the same service and still score goals.
'You'd have to be some player like Didier Drogba who did things on his own at times, to score goals. Being a young man as Hojlund is and coming into a new country and into the Premier League, trying to understand it, I think he's had a tough ride.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Marcus Rashford offered Man Utd exit route as Everton backed to complete deal
After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has work to do if he wants to set his side up for an improved showing Manchester United's summer rebuild is already well underway thanks to the capture of Matheus Cunha, but there's more to come. The Brazil international is the first of what many expect to be a run of signings as Ruben Amorim looks to streamline his squad. United have confirmed Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Christian Eriksen will leave upon the expiry of their contracts, though Tom Heaton is due to extend his stay. Those leaving for nothing are unlikely to be the only players to depart, though. If Amorim wants to further strengthen his squad without the financial benefit of European football, he may well need to sanction further sales. Alejandro Garnacho is among those who could fetch a tidy sum, though early reports of a Serie A move for Rasmus Hojlund have grown quieter of late. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are all expected to be surplus to requirements of ending last season out on loan. Real Betis are hopeful of keeping Antony at the club, though Chelsea's feelings about Sancho were rather different. We've got an update on Rashford for you today, as well as a handful of other lines. Here's Mirror Football 's latest round of updates from around Old Trafford. Newcastle keen on Rashford Newcastle United could be about to offer Marcus Rashford a route out of Old Trafford. The Magpies could also offer the England star a chance of Champions League football, though there's still work to be done. According to The Sun, Newcastle's preference is for a season-long loan while Manchester United would prefer a permanent sale. Rashford's current deal runs until 2028, and he is one of the highest earners in the Premier League. Rashford impressed on loan at Aston Villa last term, but their failure to qualify for the Champions League makes a return unlikely. Barcelona have begun to look elsewhere, despite previous interest, with Nico Williams close to a move at the time of writing. Everton told to sign Hojlund Former Everton star Pat Nevin has called on the club to raid Manchester United for Rasmus Hojlund. Danish frontman Hojlund struggled in front of goal last season, but Nevin believes a move to Merseyside could be the perfect fit. "There are two or three players that they could think about bringing in from Manchester United but Rasmus Hojlund is the one that sticks out," Nevin told Spin Genie after urging Everton to look at the loan market. "If you look at his style of play, it's a perfect match with how David Moyes likes to play. While his numbers haven't been great this season, Moyes loves hard workers and that's something you can never complain about in regards to Hojlund. "It's not very often David Moyes has had a 20-30 goals-per-season striker. He's had strikers who run in behind and create space to bring others into play, so, if he's available, Hojlund could be a tempting option for Everton to sign on loan." Chelsea told to ignore Garnacho Chelsea should steer clear of a move for Alejandro Garnacho, according to their former midfielder Emmanuel Petit. Speaking to talkSPORT Bet, Petit argued the Argentine's visible frustration in recent weeks is a concern. 'Chelsea should steer clear of Alejandro Garnacho, he might be a decent guy but I didn't like his behaviour on Manchester United's tour," Petit said. 'He is showing frustration but has had a lot of chances to show his potential on the pitch, but still we don't know what to expect from him. He gives 100% and shows great commitment, but we haven't seen him really improve as a player. 'The mentality is there on the pitch but he hasn't been improving step by step. Chelsea already have wingers in similar situations with the same frustrations. Signing Garnacho is not a good idea.' Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Kostas Tsimikas shares Arne Slot's golden rule that changed it all for Liverpool
Arne Slot led Liverpool to Premier League glory in his first season in the dugout and defender Kostas Tsimikas has opened up on what the Dutchman changed after succeeding Jurgen Klopp Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas has opened up on the tactical tweaks put in place by manager Arne Slot in his first season in charge. Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2024, won the Premier League title at the first time of asking. Defensive solidity was key in the early part of the season. Slot's Reds didn't concede at all until the fourth game of the season, and let in just three goals in their first eight games to open up a lead at the top which they never surrendered. "Slot changed the whole tactical approach," Tsimikas told Greek outlet Sport24. "The detail he put into every workout was incredible, in some things that were the A and Z for him. "One of them is defence in five seconds. He set a rule, when we lose possession all players must be behind the ball within five seconds "This instruction, along with his tactical mind, with the new ideas, with the way we would play, all of this together was what we were missing in previous years to win the championship. When you defend with 10 men and a goalkeeper, it's something very important, that was the first thing he told us from day one, that this is exactly what he wants." Tactics weren't the be all and end all, though. Slot's new ideas helped the team improve on the previous season, when they finished third under Klopp, but the former Feyenoord boss needed his players to be committed to the cause. "In every meeting we had before the game, he used to say a line that I think is the most important: 'Beyond all the tactics I can show you and tell you how to play, if you don't put your feet up, if you don't really want it, there's no way we're going to win anything,'" Tsimikas added. Slot isn't resting on his laurels after clinching the title. He has already spoken about the potential for new additions, with Florian Wirtz due to join in a club record deal following the arrivals of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Jeremie Frimpong. "I don't know if it's going to be a lot but we know, the club, Richard [Hughes], the ownership, we are all aligned on what we are trying to achieve," Slot told Sky Sports in May. "It is already very, very positive that we kept Mo and Virgil and a few others that we are trying to sign look positive. "We are very happy with the squad that we have. This club has always shown that if they can strengthen, that's what we do. Big summer or not, it is already big because we won the league." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Donnarumma issues update on PSG future as Man Utd lurk after private talks
Manchester United had been eyeing a summer move for Gianluigi Donnarumma, with the Italian keeper entering the final year of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain Gianluigi Donnarumma is confident he will sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain as he confirmed his agent remains locked in talks with the French champions. Donnarumma arrived at the Parc des Princes in 2021. He has enjoyed a highly-successful spell in the French capital since then, winning 10 major trophies. The Italian was a key member of the team which won the treble this season, storming to the Ligue 1 title, beating Reims in the Coupe de France final and smashing Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Despite his importance to Luis Enrique's side and his standing as one of the world's top keepers, the 26-year-old's contract is set to expire next summer. That has led to growing uncertainty over his future in the French capital. That uncertainty has attracted the eye of a number of suitors, including Manchester United. The Red Devils are looking for a new keeper this summer following the abject performance of Andre Onana. Onana kept just nine clean sheets in the Premier League last season, frequently drawing criticism. Donnarumma emerged as a potential replacement for the Cameroon international earlier this summer. But in a fresh blow to United boss Ruben Amorim, Donnarumma has confirmed that talks are progressing. He also insisted that he had full faith in his agent to get a deal done while he focused on the Club World Cup. "Yes, we are moving forward. My agent is talking to the club. I am focused on the match and the trophy, but we have no problems," he said ahead of PSG's clash with Botafogo. "I always give 100 percent for this club and the supporters, it's a club that has given me everything, playing for PSG is incredible. The Club World Cup is a very important competition for us. "We must continue to remain 100 per cent focused to reach the final and the trophy. Everyone is hungry for victories, to win titles; it's important for now and for next year.' The chance to sign Donnarumma would be too good to turn down for United. The Italian was player of the tournament as his country won Euro 2020, just before his move to PSG. According L'Equipe, he keeper has already had private talks with his international team-mates about a potential move to the Premier League. But earlier this month, Donnarumma made it clear he wanted to remain in Paris. "My priority is to stay at PSG, I don't think there will be any problems in the negotiations," he told Sky Sports Italia after Italy beat Moldova in a World Cup qualifier. "We're a great team." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
