Nani blasts Man United players for lack of ‘fighting spirit’

Former Manchester United winger Nani has accused the team of lacking fighting spirit and not following the example set by captain Bruno Fernandes.

The 36-year-old won 12 trophies in seven years at Old Trafford, which ended with a season-long loan spell at Sporting CP before joining Fenerbahce in 2015.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)

Nani is at Turkish Super Lig club Adana Demirspor, but addressed his former team’s existing crisis, which deepened on Wednesday as United’s defense of the EFL Cup ended in a 3-0 home defeat against Newcastle United.

Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure after the club made their worst start to a season since 1962 and Nani told Portuguese podcast ‘1 PARA 1’: “When we were playing in Manchester [United]one of the things that defined the club was that you could lose 3-0 with 15 minutes, 10 minutes left in a match, and that’s when we understood what the meaning of strong minded.

“It’s not about talent anymore, it’s about pushing the ball into the goal. We did it, we did the right thing.

“Now when you watch Manchester play you see a lot of talent, maybe more talent than in our time in terms of technique, and they are all technically gifted. But when you watch the game there is no no spirit of sacrifice, no combativeness… A real player, a star, in Manchester, must unblock the game; if he doesn’t do that, it won’t work.”

Fernandes has drawn criticism from other former United players including Gary Neville and Roy Keane, with the latter suggesting he should be removed as captain after another testy display in last weekend’s derby defeat against Manchester City.

But Nani said of his compatriot: “Manchester already have great players. We have Bruno Fernandes. If Bruno Fernandes didn’t play well I would criticize him too, but for example the sacrifice and effort he puts into he does the game. We see it. He works hard, gives his all and contributes. It’s just that a lot of others don’t keep up.