Liverpool legend Michael Owen has blasted Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal along with Juan Mata and Robin van Persie, according to the Daily Star.
The former England international has questioned United’s ambitions this season, finding it difficult a club of that stature could be happy with just a fourth place finish.
Owen was extremely critical of Van Gaal, who spent a massive £150million on new players during the summer but has been unable to turn the club around following David Moyes’ disastrous tenure last season.
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“People keep saying they are going to get a top four finish and that was the aim,” Owen said on BT Sport’s Football Tonight Show. “But that is the absolute bare minimum. Top four for Manchester United!
“After spending £150m and having the players they have and the stadium – they should be first, second or third. Third should be a bad season.
“How are they accepting that they are not challenging for the title having spent that money on those calibre of players? It’s not a good season.”
The BT Sport pundit also took a swipe at Man United attacker Robin van Persie and Juan Mata, who he thinks is partly to blame for the club’s under-par amount of goals.
“I don’t think any of the strikers are performing,” he continued. “Robin van Persie has gone quiet, he’s scored the odd goal, but he’s not the player he was over the past few years.
“I don’t necessarily blame the strikers as Manchester United aren’t creating loads and loads of chances.
“'They are not functioning as a team and if you don’t function as a team, and your strikers and midfielders aren’t working hard then you’ll concede goals – it’s not just about the defence.
“If you’re not playing well throughout the team, you won’t score enough goals as the strikers aren’t getting enough chances.
“The likes of Mata and Van Persie need to start doing more.”
The Red Devils currently sit fourth on the Premier League table, but has only scored 36 goals, which is the lowest number out of the division’s top five clubs.
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