Gael Clichy Discusses Manchester United’s Lack of Identity Ahead of Derby

During the latest installment of BBC Radio 5 Live’s Planet Premier League, Gael Clichy, a former full-back for Arsenal and Manchester City, offered his perspective on the upcoming Manchester Derby. He stated regarding Manchester United’s team: “When you look at United’s side, there’s a new manager, people are getting sacked, you know players feel like they don’t want to be there. There’s no identity. “The manager is just coming in, so he will have his own ideas. He will take time, but at the same time you need points. This game comes at the time where you don’t have time.” Addressing whether United’s squad requires rejuvenation, Clichy remarked: “I think the one thing City used to do really well was to allow players that reached a certain level or a certain age to go, even if they had more in the legs to give to the club. They decide, OK, this is enough. “I’ve experienced this. We want someone younger, fresher and better. What I see with United, I see a lot of players that have been here for like five, six, seven, eight, nine years. “I’m not saying it’s impossible to maintain a kind of competitive environment, but we’re talking about [Luke] Shaw, who I rate really highly, but he’s been out for so long. You know I can’t remember the last season he’s done playing more than 35 games. Do you want to keep relying on someone like him? Or do you want to try and progress and go to something new? And maybe this manager will come with new ideas, I don’t know.”