Spanish stars angry at United’s ‘English bias’
De Gea, Herrera and Mata believe they are treated differently
SPANISH-SPEAKING stars at Manchester United feel preferential treatment is being given to the club’s English players — leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a problem of dressing-room harmony in the closing weeks of the season.
Spaniards David de Gea, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata and their representatives believe they are being treated differently as the club attempt to return to the ‘homebased’ strategy that made them successful under Alex Ferguson.
Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young have all signed new contracts at Old Trafford this season but there has been no similar agreement with the Spanish contingent.
Herrera, 29, is close to joining PSG having failed to reach terms with United, amid briefings the midfielder was asking for too much money. Herrera is in contention to face Everton at Goodison Park today after returning from injury.
De Gea, 28, considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world despite his blunder against Barcelona last week, will enter the final year of his United deal at the end of the season despite protracted negotiations. Mata, 30, is also due to leave and is yet to renew his stay.
In addition to the ‘three amigos’, Chile international Alexis Sanchez — a close friend of Herrera — has unsettled United staff with the odd temper tantrum during a frustrating season for the former Arsenal forward.
Though Mata and Herrera are popular members of the squad, the Spanish speakers have formed their own little clique at United.
In general, the club have failed to assimilate their Latin players over the long term, compared with Manchester City, for whom David Silva and Sergio Aguero have been instrumental over several years.
United want to promote academy and British players as part of the club’s DNA, having had their fingers burnt in the transfer market under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. But as they attempt to strike the right balance, there is a risk it could put off overseas targets.
The aggrieved Spaniards have left Paul Pogba in a difficult position with a foot in each camp.
The French World Cup winner grew up as a trainee in Manchester, alongside English players such as Jesse Lingard, but has also established close friendships with the foreign legion. Pogba is a primary transfer target of Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane but he is a key player United desperately do not want to lose.
On the incomings front, Solskjaer will not flood the team with new signings this summer because he does not want to block the progress of United youngsters.
Though the United manger has promised new faces, he insists there will be fewer than six arrivals due to the youthful presence of Marcus Rashford, Diogo Dalot and 17-year-old Mason Greenwood.
‘There won’t be six players coming in,’ said the Norwegian. ‘We can’t just take players in because we need a body. Mason Greenwood is a player for me — he is 17 and I want to give him the chance to become a top player at this club.
‘It’s the same with Marcus Rashford at 21 and Diogo Dalot at 20. These players are going to get a chance and that is going to affect players at the other end of their careers. ‘It means you don’t want too many changes with signings. It’s going to take a few windows and it’s about culture as well. We have to get a culture where players take ownership themselves. I think the players deserve to get the chance in pre-season to show what they’re capable of.
‘Are they fit enough? Are they hungry enough? Do they want this enough? Do they want to give everything to the team? Or do they think only about themselves?’
Despite a fantastic start to his managerial tenure at United, Solskjaer faces a tough battle to finish in the top four and claim a place in the Champions League next season. In addition, they were comprehensively knocked out of the Champions League 4-0 on aggregate by Barcelona last week.
Pogba failed to stamp his mark on the Barcelona tie, leading to renewed debate about his best position.
Solskjaer said: ‘Everyone has got an opinion on Paul and of course together with him we have sat down and discussed his positioning. We know he can play a 10, we know he can play a six, we know he can play in probably his preferred position as one of the three in midfield, like he has done with Juventus.
‘With France, he has played as one of the two sitters, or one of the two central midfielders, with N’Golo Kante. So that is the great thing with Paul. He can do both and what we have to do with all the players is adjust to the games, what that game needs. You can see teams now thinking more about what Paul’s position is and trying to stop him in that position.’
After the clash at Everton, United host Manchester City at Old Trafford in a game that could have huge consequences for the title race.
As well as Herrera, Sanchez is in contention to make a Premier League return from injury, with Solskjaer still hoping the Chilean can turn his United career around.