Latest news with #ReneMeulensteen
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former Man United title-winning coach tells Ruben Amorim to sell two players who are branded as 'SELFISH' and 'BAD for the club' as he brutally hits out at 'stupid business'
Sir Alex Ferguson 's former right-hand man has told Ruben Amorim to sell two 'selfish' Manchester United players who are 'bad for the club' this summer. Amorim was given around £100million to spend as he looks to overhaul his side following United's dismal 15th-placed finish in the Premier League. Forward Matheus Cunha has already arrived from Wolves after his £62.5million release clause was triggered, while Brentford 's Bryan Mbeumo looks to be closing in on a move to Old Trafford despite an initial £55m offer being rebuffed this week. However, several players will have to make way to free up more funds and United are believed to be open to letting the bulk of Amorim's squad go for the right price. Rene Meulensteen, who worked under Ferguson between 2007 and 2013, has ripped into wingers Antony and Alejandro Garnacho, insisting they must be the first to go. Incredibly, Meulensteen also brutally labelled Antony, who spent the six months of the season on loan at Real Betis, 'selfish' while declaring Garnacho is 'bad' for United. He also claimed Ajax were 'doing cartwheels' after agreeing to sell Antony for a whopping £80million in August 2022 - with United now braced for a significant loss. 'I wouldn't bring Antony back because I've seen enough of him that he's not cut out for the club and not good enough,' Meulensteen told Tipman Tips. 'His performances are fuelled by his personality and are not for the good of the team, he's selfish. 'You will never get your £80m back from Antony. I thought it was stupid business at the time when I heard it was happening. 'I know that when they heard about the deal in Amsterdam, they were doing cartwheels. It shows again that players in those lower leagues, like Holland, are completely different. They're playing very different styles, a slower tempo. 'Teams like Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord are the best, so it's easy for them to look good. 'But coming into the Premier League is so much different. What is Antony's return? How many goals and assists has he got? He's probably got as many, if not more, in Spain than in England, that different kind of football is more ideal for him.' Meulensteen delivered an equally damning verdict on Garnacho after the winger hit out at Amorim, having been dropped for the Europa League final defeat. 'Garnacho is the same as Antony,' Meulensteen added. 'Yes, he's a young boy but, personality-wise, some things are not right with him and he's bad for the club. That shows in his performances and lack of consistency. 'He's a young player who has good value to him, so if they were to get offered any sort of money, they should cut their losses, because he isn't going to live up to his potential at Old Trafford and that can free up some money to spend elsewhere.' Garnacho, 20, admitted it had been a 's***' season for United after the 1-0 defeat by Tottenham in Bilbao and Amorim later warned him he needed to 'pray' he was able to find a new club in front of his team-mates in an extraordinary dressing down. His departure from Old Trafford, which would represent pure profit on the books, now appears all but certain. Antony impressed during his loan stint at Betis but the LaLiga outfit do not have the money to match United's asking price of around £30-35m. Bayer Leverkusen, now managed by Erik ten Hag, are believed to be interested.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Di £100m final wey Manchester United no fit afford to lose?
"Dis na crossroads moment" Dat na verdict of former Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen about di club im Europa league final wit Tottenham on Wednesday. Like many United fans, di Dutchman now bin dey accept dia disappointing season for di England side, wey im dey fear wetin go happun if United no win di Europa league for Bilbao. "To win di Europa league go be small success for dis disaster season," Rene Meulensteen tok BBC sport, as United dey 16th for di Premier league - dia lowest position for di league for ova 50 years. "If di team no win di trophy, why we go expect sometin different next season? Di trophy go create space for di team to sign players. "If dem no win, we no go play for Europe wey I bin dey worry wetin di future go look like." Wit wetin don happun dis season and di chance to play for di Champions league next season if united win di Europa, na easy tin to see why dis match na 'do-or-die' moment for Manchester United. But dis Europa League final dey significant? "Financially, dis na di most important match for di history of di club," football finance sabi pesin Kieran Maguire don tok. "To dey play for di champions league na good tin, sake of e fit to generate ova £100m from tickets, TV broadcast moni and di moni from sponsorship bonuses." Wit four home games for di competition if di team don reach far, dem go get anoda £30m-£40m. Even tho di benefits for United to enta di Champions league plenti, na so e dey for Spurs, but United need am more. Spurs lose £26m last year, wey United also bin lose £113m ova di same period, wey bin mean say, dia total loss for di last three years, na £300m. Last year, United make £651m, di fourth highest by any club for world football, even tho dem no dey perform well for some time now. But afta di takeova of di club by majority owners di Glazer family for di year 2005, di club also bin get £1bn debt, wia dem dey spend millions of pounds evri year to clear. United don admit say dem dey at risk of failing to follow di premier league profit rules. 'To win di Europa League go reboot di club' Fans don dey happy say at least di club dey target players like Liam Delap, Antoine Semenyo and Matheus Cunha. But if United fail to sell players wey dey collect plenti salary like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony, weda di new players go come di club or not, go depend on wetin go happun for Bilbao. Players to like to come di club if dem fit play for Europe. "United still get one of di highest wage bill for di premier league. Dem get squad wey cost more dan £1bn, wia many of di deals dey on credit – na so dem get debt of ova £300m to pay,' Maguire tok. "So United need di moni from di Champions league to meet dia financial obligation, dis na bifor dem go start to buy players wia di manager dey want." Former United defender Rio Ferdinand wia tok PA say to win di Europa league go begin "new era" for di club. "Wit Manchester United, dem dey need di moni to buy players for dis manager, na crucial time for di club." For di owners of di club, to win a trophy go help to pay for di £14.5m wia dem bin spend to sack di former manager Erik Ten Hag, togeda wit di former sporting director Dan Ashworth wia dem hire and fire. As pressure bin dey mount ova di club decisions, di bosses neva explain how dem go find di moni to build di new stadium wia dem wan build – wey go cost at least £2bn. At di time wen Ratcliffe don dey reduce investment for oda sports, to win di European trophy since im take ova for Old Trafford, go boost di club im profile. To win for Bilbao, go cost Maguire dey estimate say to qualify for di champions league go mean say United go pay 25% extra as salaries. But im believe say di champions league go "change tins". United manager Ruben Amorim don tok say to dey play for Champions league dey more important dan to win di Europa league. "Di best way to help di club reach di top in a few years, na di Champions league, no be di cup" im tok. Dem bin ask di manager say if United no play for Europe next season, wetin go happun. Na so Ruben Amorim tok say "to lose di final against Spurs go be really bad tin for di club, di fans and di media go give us plenti pressure." 'People begin to kwesion weda United na big club' For Spurs, dis na dia chance to win dia first trophy since 2008, wia dem also wan get sometin from dis premier league season wey neva go well, just like Manchester United. Dis na domestic failure for teams wia bin dey describe diaserf as "Big Six" clubs. Fans don protest di club dis season ova wetin dem describe as lack of investment buy di owners of di club and how dia chairman oga Daniel Levy bin dey handle tins. "To qualify for di champions league go put Spurs for good place," Maguire don tok. "Na dem be di team wia dia managers don dey run dia business well well for di premier league. Dem gat di most profits for history – dem fit to raise moni from non-football activities than any oda club." For United, second season without Champions league go mean say di club go pay dia kit provider Adidas £10m penalty under di terms of dia deal. One former senior pesin for di club don tok say di club fit lose some of dia sponsorship if dem no qualify to play for Europe, for di second time in 35 years. "If di team no play for Europe, e go create [plenti wahala," dem tok BBC Sport. "Dis no be good tin, wey pipo also bin dey ask if United still na big team." If dem win, e go keep di club running, di cash go be wetin go allow dem to keep di business. If dis no happun, dem gat to begin to tink about selling homegrown players like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo to give dem di moni dem dey want." Some United fans go travel go Bilbao to watch di match – dem go hope say e go bring memories of di 1991 Cup winners cup wia dem win – wey begin di Alex Ferguson glory years. Odas go look at 2017, when Jose Mourinho bin win di Europa League final, to qualify for Champions league even tho dem finish sixth for di league. But to look how bad United bin dey dis season, to win dis Europa league trophy go be wild. Both coaches, Ruben Amorim and Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou don try to reduce di pressure on dia team ahead of di game as dem tok say to win di trophy be good tin but e no be wetin go change anytin. Spurs dey on course for dia worst-ever premier league season, even if dem win di trophy, dat no go ey enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep im job, but Ruben Amorim don secure im own job next season even if United lose di final. Di neutral football fans go enjoy di game, but United and Spurs fans go hope say dis match go change dia season. For Bilbao, di city wia pipo sabi as one for regeneration, na chance to start di revival. To lose go mean say di recovery plan go dey long.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The £100m final Man Utd cannot afford to lose?
"It's a crossroads moment." That is the verdict of former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen on the club's Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday. Like all United fans, the Dutchman is coming to terms with a bitterly disappointing domestic campaign, and dreading the consequences of failure in Bilbao. "It would be a silver lining. A win in the Europa League isn't going to make up for the most disastrous season," Meulensteen told BBC Sport, with United languishing 16th in the Premier League, and now condemned to their lowest top-flight finish for more than half a century. "But if they don't win it, why would we expect anything different next season? The trophy would free up some finances to get players in. "If they don't win it, we won't be in Europe, and I really worry what the future is going to look like." With qualification for the lucrative Champions League the prize for the Europa League winners, and set against the backdrop of United's long decline, it is easy to see why the match is being portrayed as such a defining moment at Old Trafford. But just how significant is it really? "Financially, it's the most important match in the club's history," says football finance expert Kieran Maguire. "Champions League participation is crucial, because it could generate over £100m from tickets, broadcast money, and sponsor bonuses." With four home games guaranteed, Maguire estimates that there could then be an additional £30m-£40m if United go deep into the competition. While the benefits of being back in the expanded Champions League apply just as much to Spurs of course, United arguably need it more. Spurs recorded an annual loss of £26m last year, while United's deficit was £113m over the same period. That took their total losses to £300m over the past three years. The sense of underperformance is even more stark given United generated total revenue of £651m last year, the fourth highest by any club in world football. But due largely to the leveraged takeover by majority owners the Glazer family in 2005, the club are also more than £1bn in debt, which costs tens of millions of pounds a year to service. And that burden is set to increase in the years ahead because of refinancing and higher interest rates. Indeed, United have admitted they have been at risk of failing to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules (PSR) that limit clubs' losses. Why more than £100m rests on Man Utd winning Europa League Latest Manchester United news, analysis and fan views Get Man Utd news notifications In March, co-owner and petro-chemicals billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe told me the club would have gone bust by the end of the year if significant action had not been taken, bemoaning the financial burden of several players he had inherited who "were overpaid and not good enough". Meanwhile, fans are clinging to reports linking the club with moves for potential targets such as Liam Delap, Antoine Semenyo and Matheus Cunha. But if United fail to sell loaned-out, high-earning players such as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony, acquisitions could hinge on what happens in Bilbao. Luring new players to Old Trafford is likely to be much easier if the club can offer European football. And United have admitted that if they are to improve their underperforming squad, they need to cut outgoings, hence the hundreds of staff redundancies, and ticket price increases imposed by Ratcliffe - that have sparked protests by fans. "United still have one of the highest wage bills in the Premier League. They have a squad which has cost more than £1bn, and many of those deals have been on credit, so they have outstanding instalments of over £300m that need to be paid," says Maguire. "So they need the cash from the Champions League to meet their ongoing financial obligations, and that's before they start recruiting the players the manager wants. The additional revenue will put the club in a far stronger position in terms of a reboot." Such thoughts are echoed by former United defender Rio Ferdinand who told PA that victory could spark a "new era" for the club. "With Manchester United, they need the money to recruit for this manager and it's a vital period for him in that sense," he said. "I do think it's a chance to press the restart button and it will be a new era if these are the guys who managed to win." With each finishing position in the Premier League table worth around £3m, United have made around £30m less than the club's executives would have been planning for. For the Ineos hierarchy, a trophy would also help compensate for the £14.5m spent on the sacking of former manager Erik ten Hag - who was retained and then backed in the transfer market last summer - and the hiring and firing of former sporting director Dan Ashworth. Under mounting scrutiny over such decisions, club bosses are also yet to explain how they will afford to build a proposed new stadium estimated to be costing at least £2bn. At a time when Ratcliffe is reducing his other sports investments, including an Ineos sponsorship agreement with Spurs, in a challenging economic landscape for the chemicals industry, a first European trophy since taking over at Old Trafford would be a very timely boost. Winning in Bilbao would also come at a cost. With player contracts heavily incentivised, Maguire estimates that qualifying for the Champions League will also mean United could face having to pay out 25% extra on wages. But he maintains that the Champions League would still be "transformative". Manager Ruben Amorim hinted as much when admitting that the Champions League was more important to him than winning the Europa League. "The best way to help us to get to the top in a few years is the Champions League, not the cup," he said. When asked if being out of Europe next season might actually help by giving him more time to work on his squad, he was clear that losing the final against Spurs would be "really bad... the patience of the fans and you guys [the media] next year if we don't win it is going to be on the limit". For Spurs, the prospect of a first trophy since 2008 is also a chance to salvage something from a desperate Premier League campaign that – just like United - has redefined what domestic failure looks like for a so-called 'Big Six' club. Their season has also featured furious fan protests over a perceived lack of investment by the club's owner Enic and the approach of chairman Daniel Levy. "Qualifying for the Champions League would be in the desirable category for Spurs, rather than essential," says Maguire. "They are the best-run business in the Premier League. They have the most profits historically. They have an ability to generate money from non-football activities to a far greater extent than any other club, so they've always got this as a support mechanism." At United, a second consecutive season out of the Champions League means the club will have to pay kit provider Adidas a £10m penalty under the terms of their deal. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one former senior United figure predicts that the sponsorship revenue the club have prided themselves on over so many years could be at risk of "collapsing" if they are out of Europe for only the second time in 35 years, and that their brand value is now at a pivotal moment. "Not being a European team creates more existential issues around the whole model" they told BBC Sport, pointing to the end of the Tezos sponsorship of the club's training kit this summer. "It's not healthy, and people start to question whether you are still a 'big club'. But win, and it keeps the wheels spinning. The cash will be 'lifeblood' that allows them to keep trading. If not, they'll have to look at selling homegrown talent like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo to give them the funds they want." Some United fans travelling to Bilbao will hope the match evokes memories of the 1991 Cup Winners' Cup triumph - which helped spark the subsequent Sir Alex Ferguson glory years, and showed the club could perform again at a European level. Others will look to 2017 as inspiration, when Jose Mourinho's team won the Europa League final to rescue Champions League qualification after finishing sixth in the Premier League. But given how much worse United's league performance has become, this feels much more significant. Lose against Spurs, and many will feel that Ineos' already ambitious Mission 21 plan to turn United into Premier League champions by 2028 could start to look like Mission Impossible. However, senior United insiders dispute the suggestion that this is "win or bust", insisting that the cost-cutting programme the club are implementing is designed to give flexibility in the summer transfer window, and has been predicated on a 'no-Europe' scenario. While they accept that winning the Europa League would provide a major boost, they say the key is fixing the club's structure. Both Amorim and his counterpart, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, have played down suggestions that the Europa League offers some kind of panacea. Indeed, with Spurs also on course for their worst-ever Premier League season, victory may not be enough to keep Postecoglou in his job, while Amorim seems secure in his, even if his team loses. And yet there is no denying that there will still be a huge amount at stake on Wednesday, making this one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the season. While the neutrals can enjoy the jeopardy, United and Spurs fans will long for a much-needed sense of hope at the end of a season to forget. Here in Bilbao, a city known for its regeneration, lies a chance to kickstart a revival. Lose, however, and the road to recovery will feel much longer.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
The £100m final Man Utd cannot afford to lose?
"It's a crossroads moment."That is the verdict of former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen on the club's Europa League final against Tottenham on all United fans, the Dutchman is coming to terms with a bitterly disappointing domestic campaign, and dreading the consequences of failure in Bilbao."It would be a silver lining. A win in the Europa League isn't going to make up for the most disastrous season," Meulensteen told BBC Sport, with United languishing 16th in the Premier League, and now condemned to their lowest top-flight finish for more than half a century."But if they don't win it, why would we expect anything different next season? The trophy would free up some finances to get players in."If they don't win it, we won't be in Europe, and I really worry what the future is going to look like."With qualification for the lucrative Champions League the prize for the Europa League winners, and set against the backdrop of United's long decline, it is easy to see why the match is being portrayed as such a defining moment at Old just how significant is it really?"Financially, it's the most important match in the club's history," says football finance expert Kieran Maguire."Champions League participation is crucial, because it could generate over £100m from tickets, broadcast money, and sponsor bonuses."With four home games guaranteed, Maguire estimates that there could then be an additional £30m-£40m if United go deep into the the benefits of being back in the expanded Champions League apply just as much to Spurs of course, United arguably need it recorded an annual loss of £26m last year, while United's deficit was £113m over the same period. That took their total losses to £300m over the past three years. The sense of underperformance is even more stark given United generated total revenue of £651m last year, the fourth highest by any club in world due largely to the leveraged takeover by majority owners the Glazer family in 2005, the club are also more than £1bn in debt, which costs tens of millions of pounds a year to service. And that burden is set to increase in the years ahead because of refinancing and higher interest United have admitted they have been at risk of failing to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules (PSR) that limit clubs' losses. 'Europa League win would allow a reboot' In March, co-owner and petro-chemicals billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe told me the club would have gone bust by the end of the year if significant action had not been taken, bemoaning the financial burden of several players he had inherited who "were overpaid and not good enough".Meanwhile, fans are clinging to reports linking the club with moves for potential targets such as Liam Delap, Antoine Semenyo and Matheus Cunha. But if United fail to sell loaned-out, high-earning players such as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony, acquisitions could hinge on what happens in new players to Old Trafford is likely to be much easier if the club can offer European football. And United have admitted that if they are to improve their underperforming squad, they need to cut outgoings, hence the hundreds of staff redundancies, and ticket price increases imposed by Ratcliffe - that have sparked protests by fans."United still have one of the highest wage bills in the Premier League. They have a squad which has cost more than £1bn, and many of those deals have been on credit, so they have outstanding instalments of over £300m that need to be paid," says Maguire."So they need the cash from the Champions League to meet their ongoing financial obligations, and that's before they start recruiting the players the manager wants. The additional revenue will put the club in a far stronger position in terms of a reboot."Such thoughts are echoed by former United defender Rio Ferdinand who told PA that victory could spark a "new era" for the club."With Manchester United, they need the money to recruit for this manager and it's a vital period for him in that sense," he said. "I do think it's a chance to press the restart button and it will be a new era if these are the guys who managed to win."With each finishing position in the Premier League table worth around £3m, United have made around £30m less than the club's executives would have been planning the Ineos hierarchy, a trophy would also help compensate for the £14.5m spent on the sacking of former manager Erik ten Hag - who was retained and then backed in the transfer market last summer - and the hiring and firing of former sporting director Dan mounting scrutiny over such decisions, club bosses are also yet to explain how they will afford to build a proposed new stadium estimated to be costing at least £ a time when Ratcliffe is reducing his other sports investments, including an Ineos sponsorship agreement with Spurs, in a challenging economic landscape for the chemicals industry, a first European trophy since taking over at Old Trafford would be a very timely in Bilbao would also come at a cost. With player contracts heavily incentivised, Maguire estimates that qualifying for the Champions League will also mean United could face having to pay out 25% extra on wages. But he maintains that the Champions League would still be "transformative".Manager Ruben Amorim hinted as much when admitting that the Champions League was more important to him than winning the Europa League. "The best way to help us to get to the top in a few years is the Champions League, not the cup," he asked if being out of Europe next season might actually help by giving him more time to work on his squad, he was clear that losing the final against Spurs would be "really bad... the patience of the fans and you guys [the media] next year if we don't win it is going to be on the limit". 'People start to question whether you're a big club' For Spurs, the prospect of a first trophy since 2008 is also a chance to salvage something from a desperate Premier League campaign that – just like United - has redefined what domestic failure looks like for a so-called 'Big Six' club. Their season has also featured furious fan protests over a perceived lack of investment by the club's owner Enic and the approach of chairman Daniel Levy."Qualifying for the Champions League would be in the desirable category for Spurs, rather than essential," says Maguire. "They are the best-run business in the Premier League. They have the most profits historically. They have an ability to generate money from non-football activities to a far greater extent than any other club, so they've always got this as a support mechanism."At United, a second consecutive season out of the Champions League means the club will have to pay kit provider Adidas a £10m penalty under the terms of their on condition of anonymity, one former senior United figure predicts that the sponsorship revenue the club have prided themselves on over so many years could be at risk of "collapsing" if they are out of Europe for only the second time in 35 years, and that their brand value is now at a pivotal moment."Not being a European team creates more existential issues around the whole model" they told BBC Sport, pointing to the end of the Tezos sponsorship of the club's training kit this summer."It's not healthy, and people start to question whether you are still a 'big club'. But win, and it keeps the wheels spinning. The cash will be 'lifeblood' that allows them to keep trading. If not, they'll have to look at selling homegrown talent like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo to give them the funds they want."Some United fans travelling to Bilbao will hope the match evokes memories of the 1991 Cup Winners' Cup triumph - which helped spark the subsequent Sir Alex Ferguson glory years, and showed the club could perform again at a European will look to 2017 as inspiration, when Jose Mourinho's team won the Europa League final to rescue Champions League qualification after finishing sixth in the Premier League. But given how much worse United's league performance has become, this feels much more against Spurs, and many will feel that Ineos' already ambitious Mission 21 plan to turn United into Premier League champions by 2028 could start to look like Mission Impossible. However, senior United insiders dispute the suggestion that this is "win or bust", insisting that the cost-cutting programme the club are implementing is designed to give flexibility in the summer transfer window, and has been predicated on a 'no-Europe' they accept that winning the Europa League would provide a major boost, they say the key is fixing the club's Amorim and his counterpart, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, have played down suggestions that the Europa League offers some kind of panacea. Indeed, with Spurs also on course for their worst-ever Premier League season, victory may not be enough to keep Postecoglou in his job, while Amorim seems secure in his, even if his team yet there is no denying that there will still be a huge amount at stake on Wednesday, making this one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the season. While the neutrals can enjoy the jeopardy, United and Spurs fans will long for a much-needed sense of hope at the end of a season to forget. Here in Bilbao, a city known for its regeneration, lies a chance to kickstart a however, and the road to recovery will feel much longer.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Former Man United coach insists Europa League win will NOT make up for 'disastrous' Premier League campaign - and claims European exploits have 'saved' Ruben Amorim
Former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen insists winning the Europa League wouldn't make up for a Premier League campaign that has been 'an utter disaster from start to finish'. United face Tottenham in the final in Bilbao next week hoping to end a wretched season with a trophy that would also secure Champions League qualification worth £100million. But Meulensteen doesn't believe that would paper over the cracks in United's domestic form that could see Ruben Amorim 's side finish one place above the relegation zone. The 61-year-old Dutch coach claims the Europa League has 'saved' Amorim, and took aim at United's stars by saying Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen aren't good enough to play for the club. 'It is very simple,' said Meulensteen, who spent six years working alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. 'The Europa League has kept everybody alive including Ruben Amorim. 'Yes, he came in at the middle of the season which was something he didn't want to do. But he took the step and you have to look at the league as an utter disaster from start to finish. 'Ruben has stuck to his guns in terms of wanting to play a 3-4-3 system which has obviously worked for him in Europe, which is a bit weird and strange, but it has worked. They are in the final so that is the silver lining. Other than that, it has totally been under par.' Asked if victory over Spurs in Bilbao would atone for the Premier League debacle, Meulensteen told Action Network: 'Absolutely not. This is the lowest they have ever finished in the Premier League. 'Never mind that, if you look at Bruno Fernandes' contribution this year with goals and assists, and take it away, it could have been worse. 'For both teams, Manchester United and Tottenham, it is vital that they win the Europa League because it gives them a ticket into the Champions League that creates extra funds and creates the possibility to sign other players they need. So there is so much riding on that final, but it doesn't make up for the league.' Meulensteen warned that United have to rebuild in the summer or risk writing off another season. He highlighted Hojlund as one of the current stars who is not up to scratch, and believes United should try to sign Harry Kane from Bayern Munich to lead their attack. 'If not a lot is happening on the transfer front, what would be different for next season? Just because Amorim is going to have a pre-season for six weeks to play a lot of friendly games? He has now had weeks during the international break and no midweek games where he has worked with them. 'If you talk about what needs to be done, then if they could tempt Harry Kane that would be a massive boost because he is a proven goalscorer. But the system that United plays doesn't suit Harry Kane because strikers need service. He (Amorim) wants to play with two No.10s in the pocket and you're relying on the wing-backs to constantly get into those areas and put the ball in. 'I can understand why Rasmus Hojlund gets so frustrated, although I don't think he is good enough. Harry Kane is like Ruud van Nistelrooy, you get him three chances inside the box and he will score one or two. That's the numbers game so something has to be done there.' Eriksen is set to leave as a free agent at the end of next month, along with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, but Meulensteen believes there are other players whose time at Old Trafford should be up this summer. 'In midfield, I can't see Casemiro and Christian Eriksen being there. If they are, they are definitely going in the wrong direction,' he added. 'In the back line, starting with the goalkeeper, lacking stability and can't keep clean sheets. Every team that plays United, they know they definitely have chances to score goals. 'They can open them up. If you see older combinations at the back, there's so much vulnerability and lack of stability. Whether it's Maguire, (Luke) Shaw, (Matthijs) De Ligt. There are too many players for too long that don't have the calibre to play for United. 'Should Man United build their team around Harry Maguire and Casemiro? I would say absolutely not. 'I think on their best days, they both bring something to the game. But in my opinion, neither are good enough to play for Manchester United now. 'The Premier League has run away from Casemiro, Yes, he can still find a pass and every ball tends to land on his head when he's in the box. 'But equally, I can be really critical and say the amount of missed passes, the amount of times he is reckless in tackles and the amount of players running off him (can cost the team). Meulensteen said he can understand Rasmus Hojlund's frustrations but insisted the 22-year-old is not good enough to play for the club 'With Harry Maguire, I am not a big fan of him. It hasn't changed and I highlight the goal conceded over the weekend and how easy (Mohammed) Kudas walks past him. 'I think he lacks certain aspects of the game with speed and agility to be a really good central defender. On the ball he is okay – tidy but a little slow at times – but if they keep going with him, you will get the same results you've seen this year. 'If you did a survey with Man United fans to write down the top five central defenders, you have Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Rio Ferdinand, (Nemanja) Vidic, Jaap Stam … Maguire wouldn't even get a mention. 'That's what I mean when I talk about the standards Man United has had and where they are now.'
