Manchester United need to have culture 'at heart of decision-making,' says Owen Hargreaves as class of 2008 compared to 2025 group

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After finishing 15th in last season's Premier League, Manchester United and their manager Ruben Amorim have set about overhauling their squad over the summer. In have come marquee forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, but as yet there have been no takers for the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho or Antony. Ex-United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has given his take on the situation.

Man Utd should have culture 'at heart of decision-making'

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Culture needs to be at the heart of the decision-making at Manchester United," believes the club's ex-midfielder Owen Hargreaves.

Hargreaves was part of the club's last glory era, featuring alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand as The Red Devils won the Premier League three times in four seasons between 2008 and 2011, adding a momentous UEFA Champions League triumph in '08.

That stands in sharp contrast to a side that finished 15th in last season's Premier League, and that is seeking its way back to the top after a sustained period of managerial and player upheaval.

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United boss Ruben Amorim has taken steps to improve his squad over the summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, with a big-money pursuit of Benjamin Sesko also reportedly ongoing.

Following United's last match on their USA pre-season tour, which saw them win the Premier League Summer Series, United's CEO Omar Berrada also confirmed that his recruitment team, led by director of football Jason Wilcox, is "working around the clock to find opportunities to strengthen our squad."

It has, however, been harder for Amorim and the club to move players out, with Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia currently training away from the first-team squad with their futures up in the air.

Marcus Rashford was another to be moved away from the main group, before he secured a loan move to Barcelona.

Amorim has said, however, that if potential suitors do not match the club's respective valuations for these players, he will be "ready to receive" them again.

Discussing Amorim's approach, Hargreaves said: "It's tricky.

"He's obviously trying to change the culture and he obviously needs to sell to reinvest the money.

"I think when I look back to the United team that I played in [between 2007-11], probably the best team I ever played in, [the] most talented, that was successful, we had great players but we had an amazing group of players that looked after each other, a lot of respect, and nothing would ever leak or get out of the dressing room - you just wouldn't have done that.

"They had that too much last season, so I think Ruben's trying to make a clear point of - if you're not all in, you're not going to be here.

"So it's very tough for those players. But again, you think about how valuable a player Garnacho is or Marcus going on loan, or Sancho, Antony, you're talking a couple of hundred million pounds' worth of players.

"And they're not going to fit in the puzzle, which is a shame for them because I really like actually all of them.

"But Ruben's had a clear stance and said, 'look, if you're not all in, you're not going to be here,' and I think that's been very clear.

"And I think culture needs to be at the heart of the decision-making at Man United."

Amorim ‘ready’ to welcome likes of Garnacho, Antony and Sancho back into Man Utd squad if unsold

Video credit: TNT Sports

'Toxic, extremely negative'

That cultural reset, overseen by Amorim, is clearly making its way through to the players, with Diogo Dalot conveying that the group are in no doubt they have to "match standards".

"He's very clear in his messages that you want to be a part of the team or you cannot be here," the Portugal defender said.

"If you want to be in Manchester United, you need to match some standards. If you're not able to match it, it's not a place for you. The message is really clear."

And during United's pre-season tour, Luke Shaw was candid about the atmosphere in recent times - but was another to sound a positive note before the new campaign begins.

"A lot of the time I’ve been here over the last few years it’s been extremely negative," Shaw said.

"It can be quite toxic, the environment; it's not healthy at all.

"We need an environment that's healthy, that's positive, that's got good energy and happiness.

"I think when you have all those things, you feel free and you express yourself more on the pitch. Things come together and, especially this pre-season, I feel like us as a team, the bond is growing and growing.

"I feel like in my time here, it's probably the closest I've felt with the squad. I think the atmosphere is really good and extremely positive. Hopefully, that can continue."

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