Former Manchester United player, Jesse Lingard, has explained why a host of the club’s big-money signings, including Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba in recent years, did not perform well.
Man United have signed about twelve players for in excess of over £50million across the last nine seasons, though most have struggled to live up to their price tag – notably the likes of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, Angel Di Maria and Alexis Sanchez.
However, Lingard believes the pressure to perform at Man United has affected the likes of Sanchez, who he said has ‘quality’ in training despite struggling in matches.
Lingard, who currently plays for Nottingham Forest, also suggested that Pogba did not perform well at Man United because the structure of the club did not suit the player’s style.
Asked about Man United’s lack of success with marquee signings, Lingard told the Diary of a CEO podcast: “I just think we did not click. Of course, with Louis van Gaal we won the FA Cup. With Jose Mourinho, the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
“It’s strange because a lot of players have come in and failed. Alexis in training [puffs out cheeks], top. Alexis Sanchez quality, in training, he was quality. Then it comes to a game and it just didn’t click for some reason. I don’t know why. Is it pressure?”
He added, “There is no control, no structure or balance. People do what they like. It is like a free-for-all.
“Like what happened with Paul, he’s one of the best midfielders in the world, I have known him since he was 16. It did not happen at United, so something is wrong.”