Wes Brown insists Manchester United‘s performances have been unacceptable this season but feels the campaign can be salvaged by their “do-or-die” Europa League run. The ex-defender – who made 362 appearances during his playing career at the club and remains a regular pundit on United’s TV channel, MUTV – said success in Europe would save what has been a dreadful season for the Red Devils.
United are 14th in the Premier League table, but still could qualify for the Champions League should they win the Europa League. Their quarter-final victory over Lyon has passed into Old Trafford legend, and they face Athletic Bilbao over two legs for a place in the final on May 21.
According to Brown, a victory in the tournament may provide a solid foundation for Ruben Amorim to build upon next season.
Brown said: “It has been a tough season, especially in the Premier League. It has not been up to standard and it’s not just the fans who understand that, I’m sure the players and the manager do as well.
“Luckily, we’ve still got a little lifeline in the Europa League. It’s a do-or-die situation. We could potentially win that and then, it’s not that everything’s forgotten because everything has to be improved, but it’s a base for next season that can really push you on.”
Amorim’s start to life at United has been beset with problems and the Portuguese coach has earned just six wins from his first 23 Premier League games.
Questions have been raised about whether he has the players to suit his 3-4-2-1 system, and Brown expects an overhaul this summer.
He said: “It’s more likely that he’ll try to get as many players as he can in the summer. Players will leave as well. But I do think it will take a while. Regardless of systems, we’ve been making too many mistakes in games.
“We’ve not been a team at times, we’ve depended on individuals to pull us out of the trenches and that’s where we need to get better, just purely team performances.”
Marcus Rashford’s long-term future remains uncertain and even though he is out of favour at United, Brown hopes to see the England star back at the club.
“He’s done really well (at Villa),” said Brown. “He still is a Manchester United player and, hopefully, whatever’s gone on in the past with himself and the club can get sorted out and we can see him in the Man United shirt again. Whether that happens, I am not sure.”
Wes Brown was speaking at the Worldwide Hospitality Group Golf Day, in aid of the North-West Air Ambulance Charity.
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