Manchester United news: Poor form due to lack of fitness, NOT desire, Danny Higginbotham tells talkSPORT

Manchester United news: Poor form due to lack of fitness, NOT desire, Danny Higginbotham tells talkSPORT
Danny Higginbotham has defended Manchester Uniteds end-of-season slump and has issued a warning to fans calling for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s head.The attitudes of a number of Red Devils players were questioned after they suffered a dreadful end of the campaign, missing out on Champions League football and finishing sixth in the Premier League table a full 32 points adrift of champions Manchester City.But Higginbotham insists the squad do NOT lack desire and instead lack the right fitness to play Solskjaer’s way.getty2

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a tough rebuilding job on his hands at Manchester United

United went through a purple patch of ten wins and one draw from Solskjaers first 11 games in charge as Uniteds interim boss.But, since being appointed permanent manager in March, United have won just twice.A dreadful campaign was brought to a close with a dismal 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford to relegated Cardiff City, which only brought more criticism on the playersBut Higginbotham believes the squad just lack the fitness to properly carry out the Norwegians orders on the pitch something that can be corrected over time.He told Tuesdays Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: When Ole first came in there was a lot of adrenaline around and the team looked good, they looked strong. But then as the season went on it was plain and obvious for everyone to see the players arent fit enough for Oles style.That doesnt mean theyre not fit players, because you have different styles of football.If you took Klopp or Guardiola and got them to take over this United squad now, regardless of the different in quality between the groups of players, the United players cant play in that way. It requires a different level of fitness.Thats the way Ole wants to play but Mourinho played a different way, so their fitness levels need to go up considerably because of the style of play Solskjaer wants to bring to the team.Getty2

Man United players are likely to be put through the wringer by their boss in pre-season training

Higginbotham also called for patience at Old Trafford, with some fans already calling for Solskjaer to be axed just weeks after he was handed the full-time reins.Its a long-term project, added the Carrington academy graduate.Anybody that thinks Man United are going to challenge Man City and Liverpool next season, you need to take a step back.Youve got to build the house slowly but surely, youve got to have the foundations and United have not had foundations for a number of years now.

Listen back to Danny Higginbotham on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast IN FULL above

---

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Andy Firth is joining Rangers in a shock January deal. Firth, 22, was part of Liverpool's academy while Steven Gerrard, the Rangers manager, was starring for the Reds, and he represented the club's Under-23s last season with Gerrard also working in the academy as Under-18s boss.
Emiliano Sala: Body identified as Cardiff City footballer

---

Paul Pogba has agreed to a potential deal with Real Madrid and wants it done soon to avoid summer drama. Transfer Talk is LIVE with the latest.
Transfer Talk: Aaron Ramsey signs pre-contract with Juventus

---

Chelsea 2-0 Southampton LIVE score and goal updates from FA Cup clash at Wembley. The two sides are bidding for a place in the final to take on Manchester United after their win over Tottenham

---

However, the 37-year-old announced on Wednesday he has turned down Spartak's offer 'after assessing this move with my family', meaning he remains on the market. Steve Bruce, the Aston Villa manager, wants to bring the former England and Chelsea captain back to Villa Park just a few months after he left.
Sunderland clinch last-minute transfer to sign striker Will Grigg

---

Cesc Fabregas is only an Arsenal legend and not a Chelsea legend, John Barnes claims. The midfielder won two Premier League titles with Chelsea and just a loneFA Cup with Arsenal.
Cesc Fabregas is only an Arsenal legend and not a Chelsea

---

If you're new, Subscribe! →

---

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic responds to punter who lost out on £855 winnings due to missed penalty in FA Cup defeat by Oldham Posted on March 1, 2019 Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has responded to a punter who called him out for missing a penalty in Fulham's shock FA Cup defeat by Oldham.
Fulham's Mitrovic reacts to costing a punter a small fortune

---

5. Mark Noble. Mr West Ham, that's what he is. The current Hammers skipper has made more than 300 appearances for his boyhood club and while his performances recently have been a bit below par, he was one of the best in the Premier League a couple of years ago.

---

Mauricio Pochettino isn't revealing whether Harry Kane will start for Tottenham Hotspur against Liverpool, but he's called it the "most painful decision.". Kane has declared himself fit to play in
Mauricio Pochettino: Harry Kane injury would be 'massive

---

What's gone wrong for Chelsea? 5 ways Maurizio Sarri can prevent crisis. Patience is running thin with Alvaro Morata, Initially off the back of a run in the Europa League - where the
Maurizio Sarri - Page 13 - talkSPORT

---

Jose Mourinho lost his charm during 'strange' Manchester

---