Paul Ince: Players don't have the mentality to handle playing for Manchester United

Paul Ince believes too many of Manchester United's players are lacking the 'character or mentality' to handle playing for the club.

Only a final day win over Aston Villa saw the Red Devils climb to 15th in the table picking up a measly 42 points - their lowest return since returning to the top flight in 1975 - bringing a disastrous campaign to a close.

There will likely be a flurry of transfer activity at Old Trafford over the summer - as much as the club's financial situation and the Premier League's rules and regulations will allow - and Ince feels the side is crying out for more dressing room leaders.

"You see Roy Keane and Gary Neville mention it a lot, you do need to have some characters in your team," said Ince. "I look at the United team and I don’t see it. I think it’s part of what makes you a great player, having that arrogance, having that confidence to demand from people. You don’t see that.

"I’m seeing people when United clear a ball from a corner clapping each other, saying well done, and I’m thinking ‘what are you doing? Focus and get on with it’. If that had been our time, we’d say ‘stop clapping and focus on the ball that’s coming in next’. They don’t pull each other up. I think Fernandes tries to but he’s the only one and the I think the rest are all trying to deal with playing for Manchester United.

"With all the expectation that comes with playing for Manchester United, I think some of them don’t have the character or mentality to deal with it.

"I didn’t understand the enormity of what United was coming from West Ham as a 21-year-old but I had Bryan Robson next to me, Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, who could nurture me. These players haven’t got anyone like that."

While it's not yet clear which areas United will prioritise, the midfield looks like one of several areas to address. Kobbie Mainoo hasn't shown the same form for Ruben Amorim that he did under Erik ten Hag, Casemiro's lofty wages mean the club will try and move him on, while £50m Manuel Ugarte was dropped towards the end of the season.

If the club do look to bolster the engine room, Ince feels much more physicality is needed.

"When I look at Manchester United’s midfield, I don’t see any legs," said Ince. "Eriksen, Ugarte, Casemiro, there’s no legs there. If you look at the Europa League final, Ange Postecoglou put legs in midfield. Arsenal and Liverpool both have it and United don’t.

"You’ve got to be able to get across the park. If the full-backs are bombing on, you’ve got to cover the spaces. I spent my life doing that – [Roy] Keane could do it, [Bryan] Robson could do it – and I don’t see it in anyone at United.

"Everyone should be able to pass the ball from A to B – that’s not hard, but you’ve got to be able to protect the defence. When they’re on the attack, they can’t get back, there’s just a big space in the middle of the pitch.

"Kobbie Mainoo when he first came onto the scene was a world beater, now he can’t get into the team. Something’s changed. What’s changed? He’s gone from playing for England to not being able to get into the United side. It’s a strange one.

"Rashford went to Villa and did ever so well. Scott McTominay for me was one of the best United players because he had legs, he could get forward and score goals, he’s now won the championship in Serie A.

"Antony couldn’t play at United, now he’s flying at Betis. Something’s not right there."

Liam Williams

• Manchester United F.C.
• Paul Ince
• Premier League
• • 
  •