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Boxing Talking Football with…. Mikael Silvestre: Man Utd’s Situation is a Collective Failure, They Give Up Too Early
We sat down with Mikael Silvestre to talk about Manchester United’s current situation in the aftermath of their 4-0 defeat to Brentford on the weekend. It was the second part of our series of interviews with the former France international.
Mikael was quizzed on a range of topics including the perfect start to the season for another of his former clubs, Arsenal. We also Mikael for his thoughts on the 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Tottenham over the weekend and whether Blues fans should be blaming referee Anthony Taylor.
Last time you said that Manchester United could be in the top four at the end of the season, do you still believe that after their two first games?
“It looks like a massive mountain to climb, given the two first performance”
“Between the expectations, the dynamic with the new signings, and the preseason that looked really positive. it is a big no”
“Right now, it is not even about predicting the end of the season, it is about getting points on the board now, securing points, and the sooner, the better. Doesn’t matter if it is against Liverpool or if it is another team, you have to pick up the points.”
Who do you think deserves the major share of the blame for the Manchester United team’s horrible performance? The ownership and management for not investing properly, or the players?
“The owners are not on the pitch.”
“We have a lot of people criticising the way the club is being run, but I think all managers have been backed financially, and they were given resources to buy players. Their wage bill is huge now.”
“The question now is, how is it being handled? With the recruitment process and also the Manchester United spirit, that’s what was missing. The spirit against Brentford was non-existent. Only one team was fighting as a team. Manchester United, individually and as a team, was nowhere near what Premier League commitment requires.”
“There are many, many elements that are missing, and we can’t blame one department of the club rather than another. It is a collective failure at the end of the day. And even if it is early in the season, there is a pattern that comes from the end of the last season that is repeating itself again.”
“They give up too early.”
“We’ve been speaking about the X factor for players signing for United, but right now, United needs fighters, and to focus on the mindset of the players, rather than on the technical abilities. The technical ability, of course, you’ve got to have a certain standard at United.”
“They need to fight at all moments right now. Everybody needs to fight. Only players with the right attitude can help United regain some sort of self-confidence to gain the results.”
Could Erik ten Hag be another manager in what has been a revolving door at the club?
“You can’t just demolish everything. He hasn’t been here for long, and he needs to be given the backup and the time to achieve that edge. To bring back Manchester United to the fundamentals. Which is hard work. And then obviously, always promote youth. But the number one is, hard working.”
A section of United fans are planning to boycott Old Trafford this coming week, to protest against Glazer ownership. What are your thoughts on that?
“I have not seen any ownership give up because of the fans. The only time that I have seen such a thing was for project of the Super League being abandoned because of the fans’ demonstration, and a good section of the media being against it.”
“You can demonstrate as much as possible, but right now, what the team needs is support.”
“That is why English fans, and generally United fans are really good. They always back the team, given that the boys are giving a 100%. But if you give 80, or 90%, it is not enough. The other team is giving 100%, every single player.”
“It is easy to be the underdog and to go after United.”
“For the fans, I can understand the frustration, and that they are right to raise their voice. But focusing on the result and the players, they are lacking confidence, they need the fans’ backup. They need to earn it, but that fight needs to show. Within the first five minutes of the game, they can show it, the fight, and if the fans feel it, they will back them, especially if it is against Liverpool.”
How do you assess Marcus Rashford’s career after such a promising start and clearly so much talent?
“For most young players it’s about finding the consistency and sustain what you proved when you burst into the scene. Martial was the same when he first came to United, he had a fantastic first season.”
“It is tough because that is what separates champions from the others. To find that formula where it does not matter what position they play, what manager they are playing for, what team they are playing for, but where they can still deliver no matter what.”
“Marcus (Rashford) has been struggling with his form. I think there is a big mental element and struggle for him. Which is disappointing because he is a great character, a good lad. In my opinion, he has done so much outside of the pitch and you want him to be successful.”
“He is not a young kid anymore. Hopefully, he can turn things around and come back to his best.“
Do you think it could be good for Marcus Rashford to try something new?
“It is difficult to say, but, we’ve heard about PSG, and we know they are trying to sign him.”
“I am not sure what is best for him. I know for sure, and everybody knows he has got the quality to play for United, and play for England as well. I am not sure that a change to Paris is good, because when you cross the border, you are going to have to discover yourself again to get back to your best quality. I think it is deeper than that.”
Do you think Lisandro Martinez can make the step up to the Premier League? Or perhaps should he try play in a different position in the Premier League?
“10, 15, 20 years ago, maybe he would have struggled against a good number of strikers in the Premier League. But now it is different. The game is more on the ground. He knows how to perform in the air, he won a lot of headers back in Holland, so he knows how to compete in that department.”
“I think it is a learning curve for him. And that’s is the Premier League, where the type of challenges you face are more in the air, more than in any other league. I think he is going to learn fast, and I am sure he will.”
“Reminds me of Patrice Evra when he first came to United. He had a difficult start, and he has achieved a lot with United after that.”
“He has got the attributes to play in that position, or to adapt.”
Where do you think Manchester United need to strengthen most this transfer window?
“The midfielder remains the priority in the recruitment.”
“At right-back, there is Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot. There has been talk about someone of a higher quality, but it should not be the priority for United. Right now they have to be solid defensively. We have seen that Aaron can be very strong defensively.”
“They have to focus on what is the most important; that is the midfield. It is very, very important.”
Manchester United are famed for their academy, should Ten Hag perhaps look to use more players from there?
“Well, you can only do that if you believe the boys are ready.”
“Right now, throwing them into the squad wouldn’t be nice, nor fair because it is difficult. The senior players have to take responsibility and once everything is settled, you can look into bringing in fresh and young players from the academy. It would make more sense.”
One thing in modern football that everyone seems to not get, is time. Do you think Manchester United have to give Ten Hag the time he needs?
“It will depend on the results. He has to perform because United can’t be fighting for relegation!”
“It is a business now where you need results. Especially with the pace of the other clubs. You see the intensity in the Tottenham-Chelsea game. United need those games right now.”
“It’s up to the manager to find the right tools and responses, for the team to be at that level, and that is down to him and his staff.”
“The technical team have to make sure that it is happening. At some point, you will have to pull the plug if this goes on and on and on, there is no question about it.”
What do you think of Wiliam Saliba’s start at Arsenal this season? Two great performances from him.
“Solid. Has been effective and has a good understanding of where the other guys are. He has won challenges, he is breaking lines, and going forward. When he is passing, he has also been quite effective, it’s a good start for him and he should be pleased.”
Granit Xhaka played a very advanced role in the win over Leicester. What do you think Xhaka offers to this Arsenal side?
“I think he can be a threat in the box now more than he has been in the past.”
“Because of his understanding of the game, he is very good at that, and I think that he is one of the men from the midfield that he can make those runs and play passes and threats into the box.”
“When Jesus leaves those areas you will expect Xhaka to make those more than Partey, for example.”
“So it is good that it is another attacking threat for Arsenal.”
How do you see Gabriel Martinelli developing this season? Do you think he can contend for the Young Player of the Year award?
“For sure. No doubt.”
“He is showing an amazing pace, and ability to take on players. He is experienced also. He is growing, he is a very good learner; a fast learner. I am excited to see him play this season.”
Arsenal also seems to be targeting Villareal winger Yeremy Pino. Would that be a good depth signing for “The Gunners”? Tielemans as well. Where do you think they need to reinforce their team the most?
“I think in the middle of the park, they are a little bit light, behind Xhaka and Partey. So they need to strengthen there. I would say the most important things to improve is their bench and the competition for places.”
“If there is a suitable player, then they should definitely look into it, because it is going to be a long season. And you are not far from picking up one, or two injuries in the same area of the pitch, and you need players to be available to maintain your form.”
How important is it to offload Nicolas Pepe? Or do you think he still has something to offer?
“I think if he was to go, you would need to replace him.”
“If you look at the bench of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham They have impressive benches. I think if Arsenal want to compete, they will need to. If he was to go, they will need to replace Nicolas Pepe.”
Do you think Ben White will struggle to get into the team this season with the last performances by Gabriel and Saliba?
“I think the formation they play, and it is kind of a three / four at the back hybrid, because Zinchenko pushes forward like a wingback, then they are playing three at the back with Saliba, Gabriel and Ben White.”
“He was playing like a right centre-back, right back, right wingback, and he has done well. Now I think he will continue playing, and compete with the other defenders, because he has had a good start.”
Chelsea fans started a petition of banning referee Anthony Taylor from future Chelsea games. Do you think that is justified?
“I think it is pointless, and you have to understand that if referees makes mistakes, and at the end of the day, it is just football.”
“In the heat of the moment, you are angry and you feel like it is not fair.“
“But it is ridiculous to start this type of petition. The referee is always trying to do his best, and they can have a bad game and miss some things. But I would also say that on a few occasions, he should have been helped by his refereeing colleagues. He is taking the blame, but it is not the only referee on the pitch these days.”
“There were also chances for Chelsea to score more goals. They missed those opportunities, so now they are looking for someone to blame. It is always easier to blame the referee.”
What did you have to make of the Antonio Conte-Thomas Tuchel confrontation?
“They would be embarrassed watching that footage. A moment of madness, which is great for the audience and for the show. But I am sure they will have better manners in the next games in the season.”
Has the Premier League missed rivalries like that? We haven’t really seen a confrontation like that since Wenger vs Mourinho.
“If you look at the players, they are not going into it, so it looks like the players are showing the managers how to behave. You fight on the pitch, and you win your challenges, you win your one-vs-one, and you take opportunities. For the managers, it is about coaching, it is not about winning against each other because, normally, they show unity.”
“Look, it was a feisty London derby. Understand the magnitude. You don’t want to see that, every game, every weekend, because that is not what the game is about at the end of the day.”
