Manchester United‘s squad has reportedly been split into camps after players had become angered by interim boss Ralf Rangnick’s outspoken comments.
United have just completed their worst season in Premier League history, finishing sixth with 58 points, 35 behind league-winning Manchester City.
The poor end to the season could be down to the tensions among the squad that saw splits exacerbated by Rangnick’s remarks about a variety of players including Cristinao Ronaldo, captain Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani.
Manchester United’s squad has been split into camps after Ralf Rangnick’s comments
Interim boss Rangnick (pictured) angered players with his remarks, which led to tension
‘The British players tended to stick together while many of the foreign lads took their lead from Ronaldo,’ a source told ESPN.
‘There was a lot of upset when it was reported that some of the squad weren’t happy with Maguire as captain, but that was the reality of the situation.’
The bad feeling began to extend itself to those connected to the players – families and representatives – with sources stating that two rival groups were involved in heated exchanges in Madrid prior to the Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Atletico in February.
The British players tended to stick together while foreign stars were led by Cristiano Ronaldo
The same report suggests the mood within the squad had become so sour by the end of February that sources at United’s Carrington training ground said that the atmosphere within the staff and players’ canteen was ‘awful.’
Two senior players are also said to have had a ‘full-on’ scrap at the end of a session at the Carrington training complex earlier this month.
The incident saw two unnamed stars go at it before the session was brought to a premature end.
According to The Sun, the players were ordered to go back to the changing rooms after tempers boiled over.
A Man United training session allegedly ended early because of a bust-up between players
Incoming boss Erik ten Hag will have his work cut out to change the team spirit among the United squad.
Although he will be helped by a number of players being out of contract including the likes of Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata to name a few.
The former Ajax manager will be faced with the task of bring the rest of the squad together while also rebuilding it to suit his style of play.
