Jamie Redknapp blasts Man Utd fans accusing Old Trafford crowd of creating as much atmosphere as Covid times
JAMIE REDKNAPP has called out Manchester United fans for giving their players the silent treatment against Chelsea.
The Sky Sports pundit savaged the subdued atmosphere during United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Super Sunday.
Redknapp was far from impressed by the noise levels as Ruud van Nistelrooy's side drew a blank in the first half at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break at the Theatre of Dreams, crashing a volley onto the crossbar.
But the game remained scoreless at the break, with Redknapp baffled by the lack of energy in the home support.
Redknapp told his Sky colleagues Roy Keane and Frank Lampard: "It's like watching a game in Covid.
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"There's no crowd, there's no atmosphere, no energy.
"The players have got to do more [to get the crowd going]."
One fan agreed on X: "Old Trafford feels more like a library than the Theatre of Dreams lately."
Another wrote: "It's disappointing to hear that about Old Trafford. A lively atmosphere makes all the difference in the game. Fans need to bring that energy back!"
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But a third argued: "Redknapp baiting as usual. Crowd is immense."
Van Nistelrooy watched his side improve in the second 45, taking the game to the visitors.
Bruno Fernandes looked to have given United all three points, slotting home from the penalty spot after Rasmus Hojlund was felled.
But Moises Caicedo responded with a stunning volley minutes later, ensuring the Blues took a point home to West London.
Van Nistelrooy will remain in post for a further two matches before new boss Ruben Amorim arrives on November 11.
Redknapp's colleague Gary Neville had earlier called out the club for its poor transfer dealings over the past decade.
Neville claimed only Bruno Fernandes has lived up to his hefty transfer fee out of the £1.8bn in signings United have made since 2013.
Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd
WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.
Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.
But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.
Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.
He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers.
The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.
And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.
Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.
Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.
United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won't be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”
And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.
For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.
He told Sky: "There are players that have come here with great potential and ones that you thought would be good signings for the club.
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"Only really Bruno [Fernandes] I can think of in 10 years has signed for the club and done more than I thought he would.
"I can't think of any other player. That's £1.8bn spent in the last 10 years, that's one thing that has to change."