Richard Dunne has warned Manchester United it could take years to bridge the gap between their struggling side and rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
United have appointed Ruben Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s successor, in the hope he can take the fallen giants back to the top again. But United have not won the title since 2013, while City have won six of the last seven and a historic four on the spin.
With Pep Guardiola closing in on a new contract at the Etihad, Dunne fears United – who are slumped 13th in the Premier League table – will have a long wait before they can be challenging their bitter rivals for the biggest trophies again.
City legend Dunne told Gambling Zone: “It’s going to be really difficult for Amorim to bridge the gap on Manchester City. They’re so far behind at the moment.
“I think to catch City, to catch Arsenal, to catch Liverpool, it is going to be difficult for them over the next 18 months. They have some very good players, and they have obviously a huge backing where they can invest in more players.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Dunne reckons United have indulged their players in recent times, and allowed them to get away with too much. He added: “The players, for too long, have run the show and I think the manager needs to be very strong and very clear about what he wants.
“Sometimes you go into a squad, you have your way of playing, but the squad doesn’t fit. I think he has to make them fit at this time.
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“Managers have bent over backwards for this group of players, defended them and given them opportunities, and it’s time now for those players to step up and prove they’re worthy of playing for Manchester United.
“He (Amorim) needs to get the backing from the club. Eventually somebody will get Manchester United back on top, because of the power of the club.”