Exclusive: Former Man Utd Star Paul Parker Calls for Club to Get Rid of "Dead Wood"

Former Manchester United ace Paul Parker is adamant the club need to get rid of “dead wood” to give embattled manager Ruben Amorim the best chance of success next season.

The Red Devils endured their worst-ever season in the Premier League last season with a disappointing 15th-placed finish, but ambitious Portuguese boss Amorim guided the club to the Europa League final despite all the club’s troubles.

Amorim enjoyed impressive success with former club Sporting CP, winning two Primeria Liga titles, two Taca da Liga cup crowns and also the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira trophy after a decorated spell in his home country.

And Parker believes Amorim, who came in mid-season to try and fix some of the problems, now needs to be backed by the club in the transfer market so they don’t suffer the same miserable league fate next season.

“They’ve got to get rid of that dead wood to give him (Amorim) the best chance to create the best team he can,” revealed Parker, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

BETTER CULTURE

“He needs the best chance to create the dressing room atmosphere he wants because, while those dead wood players are still, that dressing room is never going to be able to thrive in the league."

“That’s been one of the biggest problems with Manchester United over these last five to eight years."

“It’s just become freelance in many ways, some of the signings over the last few years."

“The people running the club before [Sir Jim Ratcliffe] got involved were a problem."

“Players have been turning up in body for too long and being rewarded with new contracts for doing nothing."

“I think that was one because to keep those players’ valuation but, hey, it’s a great having a valuation, but I can say my house if worth £5million – although it doesn’t mean anybody wants to actually pay that money."

“United have been stuck with players that are just not good enough for a long time – and now is the time to get rid and make a change."

“A lot of these players, because of their age, has virtually made them worthless now in the market."

“However, what you will find is that their wages have been worth top dollar, which is a big problem.”

WHOLESALE CHANGES

Midfielder Christian Eriksen is one of three players out-of-contract this month and expected to leave the club, along with back-up goalkeeper Tom Heaton and defender Victor Lindelof.

Fellow defender Jonny Evans, 37, who returned for a second spell at the club on a short-term deal, is also expected to leave this summer as Amorim starts his rebuild to try and restore the club to its former glories.

Highly-rated forward Marcus Cunha has been signed from Wolves for £62.5million in United’s first major business of the summer, while the club are currently locked in transfer talks with Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo after submitting a £45million plus £10million in add-ons for the respected Cameroon international.

But with a second high-profile signing on the cards, it looks more likely that Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony will leave this summer, freeing up much-needed funds to freshen the squad.

“Eriksen and Lindelof are not going to be a problem, they are honest throws,” stressed Parker.