Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has warned the club against repeating past mistakes that led to the departure of talented players. The Dutchman, who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson during the club’s most successful period, believes that the Red Devils must ensure they do not let promising talent slip through their fingers again.

A Warning from the Past

Meulensteen, who was part of the coaching staff that helped United win five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the Champions League in 2008, has seen firsthand how the club has struggled to maintain consistency since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. He believes that one of the main reasons for this inconsistency is the failure to nurture and retain homegrown talent.

‘I think the biggest mistake Manchester United made was letting some of the young players go,’ Meulensteen told United in Focus. ‘They had some fantastic young players, and I think they let them go too early. That was a big mistake.’

The Case of Pogba and Lingard

Meulensteen pointed to the cases of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard as examples of the club’s failure to develop and retain its own talent. Both players were part of the United academy but were allowed to leave the club before eventually returning at a higher cost.

‘Paul Pogba, for instance, was a fantastic young player, but he was let go. Then they had to pay £89million to get him back. Jesse Lingard was another one. He was let go, and then they had to pay £25million to get him back. These are just a couple of examples, but there are many more.’

The Importance of Nurturing Talent

Meulensteen stressed the importance of nurturing young talent and ensuring that they are given opportunities to develop and grow within the club. He believes that this not only helps to maintain consistency but also boosts morale among the players and fans.

‘You have to make sure that you give these young players opportunities. If you don’t give them opportunities, they will leave. They want to play football, and if they’re not playing football, they will go somewhere else. That’s why it’s so important to have a good youth development system and to give these young players opportunities.’

The Role of Erik ten Hag

Meulensteen praised new United manager Erik ten Hag for his commitment to developing young players and urged the club to give him the time and resources needed to succeed.

‘I think Erik ten Hag is doing a fantastic job. He’s very clear in his mind about how he wants to play, and he’s very clear about the players he wants to bring in. But you also have to give him time. You can’t just change everything overnight. It takes time, and I think he’s doing a great job.’

Conclusion

Meulensteen’s warning serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing and retaining homegrown talent at Manchester United. The club must learn from its past mistakes and ensure that promising young players are given the opportunities they deserve to grow and develop within the club. By doing so, United can not only maintain consistency but also boost morale among the players and fans, ultimately leading to success on the pitch.