“Man United Is the Problem: Former Stars Thrive After Old Trafford Exit”, Claims Gullit.
Manchester United’s woes have been laid bare by former Chelsea and Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit, who has claimed the club itself is stifling its players’ potential. Gullit pointed to the remarkable turnarounds of Scott McTominay, Marcus Rashford, and Antony at their new clubs as evidence that United’s environment is the root of their struggles.
Scott McTominay, sold to Napoli for £25.7 million in August 2024, has become a cornerstone of the Serie A champions’ midfield. The Scotland international netted 12 goals in the 2024-25 season, earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award. His stunning volley in a 2-0 win over Cagliari clinched Napoli’s fourth Serie A title, leaving former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær baffled at the decision to let him go. “How you can sell Scott is beyond me,” Solskjær remarked. McTominay’s leadership and knack for decisive goals have made him indispensable under Antonio Conte.
Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa, is also rediscovering his spark. After being sidelined by United manager Ruben Amorim and excluded from multiple matchday squads, the 27-year-old academy graduate has scored four goals in 15 Premier League games for Villa. His output surpasses that of United’s current forwards, Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, prompting questions about the intense pressure and lack of leadership at Old Trafford that may have hampered Rashford’s development.
Antony, meanwhile, has reignited his career on loan at Real Betis since January 2025. The Brazilian, who flopped at United following his £85.5 million transfer in 2022, has tallied nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances, shining in both La Liga and the Europa Conference League. Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has pushed for a permanent deal, with Antony keen to stay in Seville, further highlighting United’s failure to unlock his potential.
With Manchester United languishing in 15th place in the Premier League and facing another season without European football, Gullit’s claim that “Man United is the problem” resonates deeply. The club’s controversial “bomb squad” policy, which saw players like Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrell Malacia sidelined, has drawn heavy criticism. Despite significant spending on new signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, United’s recruitment and management have been slammed, with pundit Graeme Souness calling the sale of McTominay “mismanagement on an industrial scale.”
As former players like McTominay, Rashford, Antony, Sancho and Dean Henderson thrive elsewhere, the spotlight remains firmly on United’s faltering culture. For fans, watching their ex-stars flourish only deepens the pain of a dismal campaign.