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Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has pinpointed the decline of three Manchester United players as evidence of everything that is wrong with the 20-time English champions.
United endured a very disappointing and underwhelming campaign that saw them finish in eighth position in the Premier League, their lowest-ever since 1989/90.
The Red Devils were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup and Champions League in humiliating fashion. However, there was some relief for Erik ten Hag and his players last week as they somehow managed to pull off an incredible 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Ten Hag implemented a near-flawless plan and tactical approach that Pep Guardiola’s men simply had no answer for at Wembley.
However, the victory has not completely taken away from how pitiful most of the 2023/24 campaign was and according to Fabregas, one need only like at the fall from grace of Jadon Sancho, Sofyan Amrabat and Casemiro as proof.
After falling out with Ten Hag and engaging in a bitter public spat with the Dutchman, United made the decision to temporarily part ways with Sancho as he was sent out on a six-month-long loan at Borussia Dortmund. Even before his axing, the Englishman was struggling to make an impact at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Casemiro was unable to replicate the fine performances he put up in his maiden season in England. On multiple occasions last term, the Brazilian seemed to struggle with the pace of the Premier League. His erratic passing and reckless diving into challenges were also a constant source of frustration among supporters.
Amrabat arrived last summer from Fiorentina with plenty of expectations on his shoulders but he failed to live up to his billing. The Moroccan was unable to nail down a consistent run of games and only until the last two or three games of the season did he start showing glimpses of his quality.
Fabregas spoke on BBC’s Planet Premier League podcast (via The Mirror) and said, “Manchester United will come back because they are a big team but look at Jadon Sancho. He’s not doing well at United, he goes to Dortmund and he looks again like the player we all thought he was going to be.”
“Look at the midfielder that impressed for Morocco at the World Cup [Amrabat], he was fantastic. And then he goes to Man United and he’s not been the same player.”
“Casemiro won Champions League after Champions League at Real Madrid.”
“He was the best defensive midfielder in the world and then he goes to Manchester United and looks like a completely different player.”
“Obviously it makes me think that something is wrong there. It’s not a coincidence that three top, top players come in and they are not good all of a sudden.”
The future of Sancho, Amrabat and Casemiro at United are all uncertain.
Casemiro continues to be strongly linked with a switch to the Saudi Pro League. United are unlikely to sign Amrabat on a permanent deal and he will almost certainly have to find a new club. Finally, Dortmund are understood to be keen on retaining Sancho for a bit longer but whether that’s on a loan again or on a permanent basis remains to be seen.
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