'Shadow of the player': Micah Richards says he feels sorry for £50m Man United man
Today at 01:15 PM
Since the last international break, Manchester United won two of their seven games, victories that came against Southampton and Barnsley.
Erik ten Hag's Man United side then drew four games against the likes of Crystal Palace and FC Twente before losing at Old Trafford to Tottenham Hotspur.
In isolation, the following two away draws at FC Porto and Aston Villa could look like two good results, stadiums most clubs would be happy not to lose at.
However, it's hard to get excited about any positive signs at United right now given there appears to be no overriding plan, no style of play and no progress being made.
That being said, after signing a new contract this summer amid so much speculation over his future, Ten Hag was backed in the transfer market, signing the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte.
Two excellent talents, but ones that Ten Hag refuses to start regularly.
Micah Richards already feels sorry for Manuel Ugarte at Old Trafford
Speaking on 'The Rest Is Football' podcast, Micah Richards has spoken about Man United's new recruits and Ugarte’s £50m move in particular, saying he feels sorry for the midfielder right now.
Richards discussed the matter with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer and the trio eventually agreed that United was not a good place for new signings to settle right now.
READ MORE: Paul Scholes baffled why Erik ten Hag isn't playing Manchester United star after Aston Villa draw
Shearer began: "Yeah I think they've had a really poor start. I think, yeah and they gave him an extended contract. They invested in players, spent a fortune in the summer, and I don't see them improving.
"I haven't seen any improvement."
Richards replied: "But do you have any sympathy, Alan, for the players that he's brought in? For all the reasons Gary just said, because Ugarte, who they've just bought in, he looks, I know he's only played a couple, but he looks a shadow of the player [he was]."
Lineker added: "He's only just arrived, he's arrived at a place that's a bit of a pickle and a bit of a mess."
Erik ten Hag remains under pressure heading into the international break
Right now, Man United's hierarchy are meeting to discuss Ten Hag's future, not content with recent results and progress.
The decision of whether the Dutchman will stay in charge will ultimately fall to Dan Ashworth, even if the call will come as part of a process.
As mentioned, United signed several strong players over the summer, but they aren't being integrated too well, with the exception of Noussair Mazraoui.
It's a fair complaint that Ten Hag makes it appear much harder for settle new players than United's rivals, something the manager will always have an excuse for.
But it remains to be seen just how much more chances Ten Hag will get to prove that he can take things forward, a project there's now very little belief in.
