BREAKING:‼️ Zidane – “They are the ones that can bring the olden days glory back to the club. Most of the current players are average players”
Few names in world football command as much respect as Zinedine Zidane. A World Cup winner, European champion, and a manager who lifted three consecutive Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, Zidane’s voice carries undeniable weight. When he speaks, football listens. Now, the French legend has broken his silence on Manchester United’s struggles, delivering a brutally honest assessment: most of the current squad are “average players,” and only a select few have the ability to bring back the glory days.
This statement has sent shockwaves across Manchester and beyond. Supporters are divided between agreement and frustration, but there is one universal truth—Zidane has once again highlighted the harsh reality of where United find themselves today.
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The Harsh Truth Behind Zidane’s Words
Zidane’s observation reflects what many fans have long suspected. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Manchester United have been on a steady decline. Despite billions spent on transfers, the club has failed to build a consistent, title-challenging squad. Managers have come and gone—Moyes, van Gaal, Mourinho, Solskjaer, Ten Hag—yet the trophy cabinet has largely gathered dust.
Zidane did not mince words. His blunt description of the current roster as “average” underscores a problem of quality. While United possess some talented individuals, the overall squad lacks the collective excellence needed to compete with Europe’s elite.
According to Zidane, it is only “a handful” of players who have the capacity to restore the old Manchester United identity: dominance, flair, and winning mentality.
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Who Are “The Ones”?
Though Zidane did not name them directly, his reputation for valuing technical brilliance, discipline, and mental toughness gives us strong clues about who he might have been referring to.
1. Bruno Fernandes
Love him or criticize him, Bruno has been United’s most consistent performer since arriving in 2020. His creativity, leadership, and work rate set him apart from others in the squad. Zidane, who relied heavily on midfield leaders like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos at Real Madrid, would almost certainly recognize Bruno as one of the few capable of carrying the team.
2. Lisandro Martínez
Zidane has always valued defenders with grit and composure. Lisandro’s toughness, passion, and ability to play out from the back would appeal to him. Injuries have hindered his United career, but when fit, he embodies the warrior-like mentality Zidane loves.
3. Rasmus Højlund
At just 22, the young Danish striker is far from the finished product. But Zidane, who nurtured Karim Benzema into one of the world’s finest forwards, would likely see potential in Højlund. His physicality, hunger, and ability to learn could make him part of the club’s long-term revival.
4. Alejandro Garnacho
Zidane himself was an artist on the pitch. Garnacho, with his flair, daring runs, and fearless approach, mirrors the type of player Zidane has always trusted to change games. Young, raw, and still developing, he represents both the present and future of United’s attacking threat.
Beyond this small group, Zidane’s comments suggest the rest are either inconsistent, unfit for his vision, or simply lacking the elite mentality required.
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A Stark Contrast with Manchester United’s Past
Zidane’s remarks cut deep because they remind everyone of how high United once soared. Under Ferguson, United squads were stacked with world-class players across the pitch: Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, and Wayne Rooney, to name just a few. Every player knew their role, and almost every player could be trusted in the biggest moments.
Today, the picture is drastically different. United’s squad is bloated with players who are either inconsistent, past their peak, or not at the required level for a club with such ambitions. Zidane’s labeling of them as “average” might sound harsh, but compared to the Ferguson era, it is hard to argue otherwise.
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Why Zidane’s Opinion Matters
Plenty of pundits, former players, and fans have criticized United’s squad before, but Zidane’s assessment carries unique authority. Unlike many critics, Zidane has managed some of the biggest egos in football—Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos—and still delivered trophies. He knows what elite talent looks like and how it functions in a winning system.
For Zidane to describe United’s current players as “average” suggests he sees a gulf not just in technical quality but also in mentality. Winning at the highest level requires more than skill—it requires belief, hunger, and consistency. Zidane has identified that these qualities are missing in large parts of United’s dressing room.
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The Average Player Problem
So what makes a player “average” at Manchester United? Zidane’s implied definition could be broken into three categories:
1. Lack of Consistency
Too many United players shine one week and disappear the next. Zidane thrived in teams where reliability was non-negotiable.
2. Mental Fragility
Zidane’s Madrid sides were defined by resilience. Even under pressure, they found ways to win. United, by contrast, often crumble when faced with adversity.
3. Absence of Elite Standards
Zidane has worked with players who demanded excellence in every training session. United’s squad often appears comfortable with mediocrity, lacking the ruthless drive seen in elite teams like Manchester City.
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Can “The Ones” Bring Back Glory Alone?
Zidane’s optimism that a select few players can restore United’s glory days is inspiring, but perhaps unrealistic without proper backing. Even the likes of Bruno, Garnacho, or Martínez cannot succeed without a stronger supporting cast. Football is a team sport, and Zidane knows better than anyone that great players flourish in great systems.
If United are to truly return to their old heights, the club must build around this core of exceptional players with smart, ambitious recruitment. Without it, Zidane’s words risk being seen as an acknowledgement that only a few sparks of greatness remain in a dimming squad.
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Fan Reaction
Unsurprisingly, Zidane’s comments have divided the fanbase. Many supporters agree wholeheartedly, pointing out that too many players in the squad are simply not Manchester United standard. Social media has been awash with lists of names fans believe should be sold.
Others, however, argue that Zidane’s assessment is too brutal, suggesting that with the right manager and tactics, many of the current players could perform at a higher level. Regardless of opinion, the debate has reignited discussions about the club’s direction and recruitment strategy.
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What Next for United?
Zidane’s critique is more than just words; it’s a challenge. It calls on United’s hierarchy to recognize that mediocrity has no place at Old Trafford. If the club is serious about reclaiming its place among Europe’s elite, it must act decisively: back the right manager, clear out underperformers, and build a squad worthy of the badge.
For Zidane himself, the comments fuel speculation that he may still be tempted by the United job one day—if conditions improve. His belief that a few players can lead a revival suggests he sees potential, but only if drastic changes are made around them.
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Conclusion
Zinedine Zidane’s statement—that only a select few players at Manchester United can bring back the “olden days glory” while the rest are “average”—is a sobering wake-up call. It encapsulates years of decline, poor recruitment, and wasted potential.
Yet it also shines a light on the hope that still exists in individuals like Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martínez, Garnacho, and Højlund. With the right support, they could form the spine of a new, successful United era.
For now, Zidane’s words cut to the core: Manchester United, once the pinnacle of football excellence, have settled into mediocrity. The path back to glory exists, but only if the club embraces reality, builds around its true talents, and abandons its acceptance of the “average.”
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