Michael Owen has blasted Manchester Uniteds under-performing stars after their 2-1 defeat to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce in the Europa League. The Reds have won only two of their last seven games and Owen turned the spotlight on the United players after their insipid display at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
Owen - who played for United from 2009 until 2012 – urged Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho to get rid of Argentine defender Marcos Rojo, arguing the former Sporting Lisbon man is simply not good enough. The ex-striker also said world-record signing Paul Pogba – who suffered a dead leg against Fenerbahce - has fallen well below expectations since his £89m ($111.12m) move from Juventus.
[Marcos] Rojo is not good enough, full stop, Owen told BT Sport after Uniteds defeat in Turkey. [Paul] Pogba has cost an absolute kings ransom and hes obviously injured and not found his feet yet.
United scored a late consolation goal against Fenerbahce through under-performing skipper Wayne Rooney. But Owen admitted Rooneys best days are already behind him, before blasting the recent displays of French forward Anthony Martial.
Wayne Rooney, confidence is a big issue. Hes not going to get any better now, Owen said of his ex-United teammate. He scored a goal, lets hope that thats a bonus for him. [Anthony] Martial, last season great, but is he doing anything now?
Owens stinging criticism of Uniteds under-performing stars came after Mourinho admitted his players approached the Fenerbahce match like it was a summer friendly. The under-pressure boss questioned the attitude of the players after watching United slump to another demoralising defeat.
A team that concedes after two minutes is a team that is not ready, not mentally prepared, not focused, not concentrated, said Mourinho, whose United side face lowly Swansea City in the Premier League at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday (6 October).
