MANCHESTER UNITED’S lack of success has ensured they can no longer attract the world’s top players, according to Dwight Yorke.
The former Red Devils striker, 50, has launched into a withering assault on his old club.
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United finished sixth in the Premier League last season and were closer to the relegation zone than champions Manchester City, in terms of points.
And Yorke – now manager of A-League side Macarthur FC – reckons a sizeable gap has opened up between United and rivals Liverpool and City.
Erik ten Hag has been desperately chasing midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer.
Despite United agreeing to a £71.5million transfer fee with Barcelona, the Dutch midfielder has snubbed the club as he demands to stay at the Nou Camp or move to a more successful club.
And Yorke has now told safebettingsites.com: “I had a conversation with Frenkie De Jong at the A-League All Star game in May, and you know before that would’ve been a done deal.
“He’s playing with a massive club and even though the money is an issue he has the opportunity to play Champions League football there.
“The players we are chasing are in such powerful positions it’s very difficult to lure them away to come to United.
“The club have kicked themselves in the teeth and can’t attract the best players any more.
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“No Champions League football is a serious issue and it’s getting more and more difficult by the year.
“Players and agents are looking from the outside and thinking ‘that is not the place I want to be right now with all that stuff going on’.
“So we need to get that turned around and get the club back on track.”
United are on their worst trophy drought in 50 years, having last tasted success in the 2017 Europa League final.
And Yorke reckons that hasn’t helped them in the transfer market – with City and Liverpool far more attractive.
He continued: “United have always been in a position of strength being among the top European teams.
“So ‘selling’ United to top players has never really been an issue.
“But what’s transpired in the last three to five years is that United are failing to do what they have become accustomed to, which was qualifying for the Champions League and winning major trophies.
“Choosing between the United of old and the current United it’s quite straightforward.
“Going after players who are hesitant to come into the club… it’s a kind of a no-brainer really.
“When you’re not qualifying for the Champions League you’re always on the back foot.
“There’s no question that the club has got some issues, they’ve just had their worst season since the Premier League started.
“The situation is carrying on into this season because their best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, is not committing himself even though he’s got another year left on his contract and he’s telling the club he wants to leave.”
