Manchester United icon Peter Schmeichel has delivered a scathing assessment of his former club after shocking revelations emerged about their 2017 Europa League exit against Anderlecht.
The Danish goalkeeping legend didn't hold back in his criticism, describing the situation as "embarrassing" after former Anderlecht executive Herman Van Holsbeeck claimed the Belgian side knew exactly how to exploit United's weaknesses during their quarter-final clash.
The Damning Revelation
Van Holsbeeck's explosive comments revealed that Anderlecht had identified United's vulnerabilities under then-manager Jose Mourinho and specifically targeted their lack of fitness in the latter stages of matches.
"We knew that after 70 minutes, Manchester United were dead," Van Holsbeeck stated, adding that United's players "couldn't run anymore" during the critical phases of the game.
Schmeichel's Furious Reaction
The 1999 Treble winner expressed his disbelief and frustration at these revelations during an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast.
"It's embarrassing to hear that," Schmeichel fumed. "That's seven years ago and we're still talking about the same things. That can't happen at a football club at this level."
Schmeichel emphasised the need for lasting solutions at Old Trafford, stating: "You can't just paper over the cracks - you have to find out why this is happening and make sure it doesn't happen again."
A Pattern of Problems
The legendary goalkeeper highlighted that these issues have persisted through multiple managerial regimes at United, suggesting deeper structural problems within the club.
"This is not a one-off situation," Schmeichel noted. "We've seen similar patterns under different managers, which tells you the problems go beyond just the coaching staff."
His comments come at a time when current manager Erik ten Hag is facing increasing pressure after a disappointing Premier League campaign, with United's fitness and late-game performances again coming under scrutiny.
