Anthony would be two levels better at Manchester City. United make great players into mediocre ones, says Zlámal

Manchester has been decidedly blue in recent years. The first ten rounds of the Premier League have already indicated that it will be after this season. Criticism has been heaped on Manchester from all sides, while Manchester City want to defend their treble.

The two Manchesters are already in absolutely different form after ten rounds. We can start in the Champions League, where the Citizens are one hundred percent on nine points and one win away from promotion. On the other hand, the Red Devils have three points for a lucky home win over Copenhagen.

Moving to the domestic league, the gap is even clearer. Manchester City have dropped points for only two losses in eight rounds, while Erik ten Hag’s charges have lost five times in addition to five triumphs. And it must be said that 15 points and eighth place is still far above the performance of the players.

It is impossible to write above the performance of the team, because Manchester United act more like a group of individuals. It was beautifully shown a week ago in the derby with the Citizens, when the Red Devils lost the match all by themselves.

On the one hand, a questionable but primarily completely unnecessary penalty after a tackle by Rasmus Hojlund, an unguarded Erling Haaland at the back post and, in the end, unsportsmanlike conduct by Anthony that was incomprehensibly not punished with a sending off.

“If Anthony went to Manchester City, he is two levels better than he is now. I’m 100 per cent sure of that. But he went to a toxic environment,” said Zdenek Zlámal on Premier Club Extra.

The negative mood is also evident in the relationship between players and coaches. When Scott McTominay scored two goals at home against Brentford to turn the game around, he and ten Hague gave each other a hug that resonated in the media.

“Manchester City has the concept, the structure, everything as it should be. They select players properly and it’s a healthy environment,” the former goalkeeper continued.

The captain’s position also speaks volumes about the situation. On the one hand, Bruno Fernandes does not have the typical captain’s charisma and apparently leadership in his blood, while at the same time he is constantly getting angry and gesticulating inappropriately. But who else could be captain?

“He is not at United and that is the stumbling block. United buy a great player and he’s mediocre. They bring in an average player and he’s below average. At City it’s the other way round, they turn an average player into an excellent one. They buy an excellent player and he’s a Ballon d’Or winner,” Zlámal added.

Source: Premier club extra