Manchester United - More interested in a new stadium than a competitive team

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Manchester Uniteds plans for a new stadium are "pathetic" while the team struggles in the Premier League, according to Paul Merson. Manchester United is currently in 14th place and has only won 32 percent of its league matches this season.

Paul Merson believes that Manchester United's plans for a new stadium with a capacity of 100,000 spectators are "pathetic" when the team instead "needs new players".

According to the Sky Sports expert, Manchester United is more interested in building a state-of-the-art stadium than in creating a competitive team that can challenge for titles. The reactions come after the club this week announced its plans to leave Old Trafford for a new giant stadium. Merson was not mild in his criticism:

"I don't care at all, I think it's pathetic. If I were a Man Utd supporter, I would be furious."

United's co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said the goal is to create an "iconic football stadium", but Merson believes the club should instead prioritize the squad. Right now, the team is closer to the bottom Southampton in the table than to league-leading Liverpool.

"They need players – not a new stadium"

Merson questions why Manchester United, which already has one of the largest stadiums in the Premier League, would need a new one.

"Old Trafford is already a huge stadium. I can understand if it was Chelsea, they need a bigger stadium to compete. But for Manchester United – why would they need a new one? They need new players, they need a team. I can't understand this decision."

He continues:

"Sir Jim Ratcliffe talks about England being able to play here. Forget the national team, focus on Manchester United and make sure they get back to the top six. I'm shocked by what I see."

The club in financial crisis

Manchester United, which has debts of over a billion pounds, has not yet confirmed how the stadium construction will be financed. Ratcliffe said earlier this week that the club would have run out of money before Christmas if he had not implemented cost savings.

Merson believes the club's priorities are entirely wrong:

"Old Trafford already holds 70,000 spectators. They don't need a new stadium – they just need to fix the holes in the roof where the rain seeps in. Focus on yourselves, not England or anyone else."

United has won only nine of its 28 Premier League matches this season, a win ratio of 32 percent. Under new coach Ruben Amorim, the team has only won five of the last 17 matches and lost eight times.

However, Merson still hopes Amorim can turn the tide:

"He is a young, enthusiastic coach who has done fantastically in Portugal. He broke Benfica's and Porto's dominance there. I hope he succeeds, but he needs players that fit his system. Right now, United is far from where they should be."

He concludes with a grim forecast:

"If someone told me United would finish in the top six next season, I would say 'not a chance'. They seem more interested in building a new stadium than in getting back to the Champions League. Manchester United faces Leicester City away this Sunday – the match is broadcast live on Sky Sports from 18:30, with kickoff at 19:00.