Patrice Evra says Manchester United’s future is “not bright” and believes the club have been in “chaos” for the last decade.
The Red Devils won the last of their 20 Premier League titles in 2013, which was legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season in charge.
United have had five permanent managers since then, with current boss Erik ten Hag under huge pressure after a disappointing start to the campaign.
But former left-back Evra, who left a year after Ferguson’s departure in 2014, believes the problems run deeper than the Dutch manager’s performance.
“It’s always tough to talk about United right now because back in the day we used to play for the fan, for the badge, for the history,” he told BBC Sport NI.
“We lose a little bit of those values. I blame myself, I blame Sir Alex Ferguson.
“When we left, we left too early and it’s difficult for the players because they don’t have any example.
“I’m not inside, I don’t know what the problem is. The manager Ten Hag is trying to do his best – it’s not good enough. But it’s not just about this season, it’s since we won the last league in 2013, the club has been like in a chaos.”
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‘The future is not bright’
Evra won five Premier League titles during his eight years at Old Trafford but the Frenchman now believes his former side have been overtaken by the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
He added: “I’m a positive man, but it’s tough. Our rivals are getting better than us, play a better style of football. The future is not bright. It’s a tough moment.
“Liverpool waited 30 years to win the Premier League again, now it’s been 11 years [since United’s last title]. I don’t want to wait that long.
“No matter what, I will be a United fan forever, but it’s quite tough to watch United play.”
Ferguson sacking
United’s new minority owners led by Jim Ratcliffe have been criticised for the decision to remove Ferguson from his role as club ambassador at the end of the season.
“The Ferguson thing, I didn’t digest it all,” added 2008 Champions League winner Evra.
“Sometimes you want to tell the truth and people think as if you talk against your club and you don’t want to hurt it.
“When that legend, that legacy gets away, I don’t think fans will stay friends with you.”
Evra believes the League Cup and FA Cup won under Ten Hag are “not enough” for a club of United’s stature as the 43-year-old urged the club’s hierarchy to embrace a full rebuild.
“I’m a straightforward guy. Even if you put the chef as a manager, I will support any manager”, he added.
“Three years [Ten Hag has] been at the club and, yes, he’s won two trophies. When you’re the manager of United, what people expect from you is to win the league every year.
“We need to stop talking about the past. This is not the United it used to be. We have to rebuild it.”
