Manchester United’s angry players turned on each other in the aftermath of the humiliating defeat at Everton.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer kept his team in the dressing room for more than half an hour after Sunday’s 4-0 hammering at Goodison Park, before publicly apologising to fans for the performance.
The players then pointed the finger at one another during a heated exchange, and raised voices could be heard from the corridor outside as they argued among themselves.
“We let the manager speak, the staff speak and they spoke the truth,” Paul Pogba told Sky Sports last night.
“We didn’t respect ourselves, the club or the fans. What we did on the pitch is not respectful for the teammates, for the staff, for the people, for the kit man, for everyone. For their work, they put their life on us.
“What we showed on the pitch, we did not give them the joy back, and that’s why we are angry with ourselves. We want to do better for sure, and we have to. The reaction has to be there.”
The inquest continued at a sombre Carrington training ground on Monday in another team meeting lasting an hour as the squad were subjected to a video analysis of their capitulation.
Solskjaer and his backroom staff were so infuriated with the performance that it is understood the team chef even gave players a piece of his mind.
The United manager and his assistant Mike Phelan held a recruitment meeting after training to discuss the changes needed this summer after a run of six defeats in eight games obliterated the mood of optimism around the club.
Insiders claimed last night that the situation is no better than when Jose Mourinho’s reign began to unravel in September and October.
The fear among staff is that Solskjaer too will be brought down in time despite his popularity with supporters if there is not a complete overhaul of the squad.
He gathered his players after the Champions League exit at the Nou Camp last week, and told them what is required to reach the level of Barcelona.
“It’s a big week ahead – show me what you can do,” he concluded.
Solskjaer then admitted before the Everton game that some players needed “a reality check” and had to take “ownership” of the situation.
Ole's pledge. #MUFC #UnitedReview pic.twitter.com/J9Bh5XtRpj
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 23, 2019
He was staggered by the shambolic response as one of the poorest displays in recent memory left United in danger of missing out on a top-four place.
They host Manchester City on Wednesday and Chelsea on Sunday.
Even the Everton players were shocked by how it easy it was against such tame opposition.
“The body language was not good enough for this shirt,” added Pogba. “When you’re here, you deserve it, and you have to give your life on the pitch.
“You have to sweat for this shirt and you have to give everything.
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— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) April 23, 2019
“We are Manchester United, and we play to win trophies. Last year, we didn’t win any and this year again, and now we don’t get into the top-four.
“Obviously it’s a very disappointing season. It’s not good at all for this club.”