Sancho is not alone; many players have expressed relief after leaving Manchester United

Former Manchester United players have been lining up to criticize the club, with a number of high-profile departures in recent years accompanied by scathing remarks about their time at Old Trafford.

Perhaps the most damning assessment came from Romelu Lukaku, who declared that "Inter pulled me out of shit" after joining the Italian giants from United. The Belgian striker's comments highlighted the toxic atmosphere at the club during his time there and suggested that he felt unfulfilled during his spell in Manchester.

Angel Di Maria, another high-profile departure, echoed Lukaku's sentiments. The Argentine winger, who joined Paris Saint-Germain from United in 2015, famously stated that "PSG saved me". Di Maria's comments were seen as a direct criticism of the club's management and the lack of support he received during his time in England.

Alexis Sanchez, who joined United from Arsenal in a high-profile swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan, also had a difficult time at Old Trafford. The Chilean forward admitted that he wanted to leave the club after just one training session. "I wanted to quit Manchester United and return to Arsenal after my first training session," Sanchez revealed.

Even younger players such as Dan James have expressed their dissatisfaction with their time at United. The Welsh winger, who joined Leeds United in 2021, admitted that he had lost confidence during his time at Old Trafford, stating, "I just wasn't sure about myself anymore."

Jadon Sancho, who joined United from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, has also been the subject of speculation regarding his future at the club. The English winger's cryptic social media post, where he simply wrote "freedom" after Marcus Rashford's departure, fueled rumors of discontent among the United squad.

Why are so many former players speaking out against Manchester United?

There are a number of factors that may contribute to the growing number of former United players who are speaking out against the club. These include:

• High expectations: The pressure to perform at a club like Manchester United can be immense, and players who fail to meet expectations may feel the need to speak out.
• Lack of support: Some players have felt that they did not receive the support they needed from the club's management.
• Tactical differences: Players may have struggled to adapt to the different managerial styles at the club.
• A toxic atmosphere: There have been reports of a negative atmosphere within the Manchester United dressing room in recent years.

The impact on the club's reputation

The negative comments from former players are damaging to Manchester United's reputation. They create a perception of a club that is difficult to play for and where players are not valued. This could make it difficult for the club to attract top talent in the future.