Ruud Gullit has named two Manchester United players who he now believes are struggling on the ball after last night’s draw against Galatasaray.
The Red Devils threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 in Istanbul as United’s UEFA Champions League dreams now hand by a thread going into the final group stage match.
And speaking on Bein Sports, Gullit highlighted the playing styles of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as a key reason behind United’s struggles last night against Galatasaray.
Gullit said when asked about United’s defensive problems: “The problem is that from the back he has no players who can play that football.
“He thinks what can I do now? He hoped that Varane could do it, but he’s more injured than anyone else. Then he had Martinez, he’s a good player, he can play. He did well for them. But he’s injured.
“So now he has to do it with these two but Maguire is not the best on the ball, he doesn’t build up. Lindelof is the same thing. So his goalkeeper is the one who does the build-up all the time, but that is not his job. Therefore he has difficulty playing from the back.”
Manchester United learnt some key lessons against Galatasaray
Maguire and Lindelof not being the best on the ball is something United fans have known for quite some time, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez clearly more suited to the modern centre-back role.
And last night, the Manchester giants learnt that they need to start the process of overhauling their defensive options for good in the upcoming transfer windows.
Whilst Andre Onana was mostly at fault for yesterday’s draw, Galatasaray exposed Maguire and Lindelof with ease in what was an entertaining match in Turkey.
Indeed, United’s Champions League dream looks set to come to an end next month, and results against Galatasaray will serve as a lesson for United heading into January, where changes need to be made.