'I will never' - Manchester United have found an unexpected ally amid familiar criticism

Comparisons between Manchester United and Liverpool are rarely welcomed, but those who were around at Anfield in the 1990s might be able to sympathise with their Old Trafford counterparts today.

During Liverpool's fall from grace in the 1990s, the TV studios and radio booths were well stocked with former players queuing up to tell them where they were going wrong and that it wasn't like this in their day. The noise was difficult to cut through, and it took 30 years for that particular title drought to end.

Nobody expects United to be waiting that long, but those currently tasked with restoring glory to the club are having to do so when the noise is even louder. Now, it is former United greats who occupy the pundit space. Only 30 years on, the modern media cycle is even more unrelenting.

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On radio, on TV, in papers and on social media, there is no shortage of former players ready to stick the knife in after a defeat, to criticise and critique everything that is happening at the club, on and off the pitch. You only have to witness the hysterical reaction from Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand to the ending of Sir Alex Ferguson's ambassadorial role at the end of this season to see an example.

Erik ten Hag did gently bite back at this group of pundits last season, reminding them after a draw with Burnley that they also went through rebuilding phases under Sir Alex Ferguson. The problem for Ten Hag and United is that modern media often demands clips that can go viral, which can encourage pundits to be even more critical than usual.

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