Paul Merson believes Manchester United are far from the level they reached during the Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney era after their 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League. The Sky Sports pundit said United’s reputation is still based on their past success rather than their current performances.
United suffered another disappointing result on Wednesday night, raising more questions about the quality of the squad and the club’s ability to compete with Europe’s top teams. Merson said he was not surprised by the defeat, arguing that supporters and observers still judge United by the team that dominated English football in previous years.
“They’ve got to start winning matches,” Merson said. “The problem with Manchester United is we still live in the age of when it was Rooney, Ronaldo, and people like that.”
Merson believes there is a difference between being a big club and being a top team. Manchester United remain one of the most recognised clubs in world football, with a huge global fanbase and a successful history. Their recent performances, however, have not matched that reputation.
“We’re caught by the name — one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he said. “But they’re not one of the biggest teams in the world. They’re far from it.”
The former Arsenal midfielder also said he did not expect United to beat Leeds or Como, showing how much his expectations of the club have changed.
“I didn’t expect them to beat Leeds. Absolutely not. I didn’t expect them to beat Como. That’s where they are.”
His comments reflect the growing concern about United’s inconsistency and their struggles to return to the level they reached under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
United enjoyed some of their most successful years between 2006 and 2009, when Ronaldo and Rooney played key roles in the team’s attack. During that period, United won three consecutive Premier League titles and lifted the Champions League trophy in 2008.
Ronaldo became one of the world’s leading players, while Rooney established himself as one of the club’s most important attackers. They were supported by experienced players who helped United compete for major trophies. The current team has yet to show the same level of consistency or success.
United have not won the Premier League since 2013, when Ferguson led them to their 20th league title. Their continued struggles have increased pressure on the club to rebuild a squad capable of challenging for major honours.
Merson believes the names of former stars continue to influence how people judge the team.
“Rooney, Ronaldo, Keane,” he said. “They’re a million miles away.”
United captain Bruno Fernandes has also questioned the team’s mentality following their recent struggles. Fernandes admitted that the players sometimes enter matches already expecting a difficult result, raising concerns about their confidence and approach. His comments add to the pressure on a squad that needs to improve both its performances and its results.
United now face the challenge of responding to their defeat and showing that they can compete more consistently in the Champions League. Roma are scheduled to provide their next European test on November third, giving the team another opportunity to respond.
For Merson, however, the main issue is clear. Manchester United cannot rely on their history and reputation to compete with the strongest teams in Europe. They must start producing results on the pitch if they want to be judged alongside the clubs they once dominated.
Manchester United must improve their performances if they want to restore their reputation as one of Europe’s top teams. Their history and former stars can only take them so far, and recent defeats have exposed the gap between their reputation and their current level.
Merson’s criticism highlights three major concerns: United’s reliance on past glory, poor results and a lack of confidence. The team must address these problems on the pitch if they hope to compete for major trophies again.
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