After some optimism that they could take the next step this campaign, it's fair to say that Manchester United had a disastrous start to the season during their 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace last weekend.
They were completely outplayed by the visitors in every facet of the game, with the two-goal winning margin in no way flattering Roy Hodgson's side. United looked rudderless in attack and disorganised at the back.
It was enough to quickly dampen the expectations around Old Trafford. Many of their supporters have lamented the lack of signings, but the players on the pitch have to do better.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used the lack of a lengthy pre-season and match fitness as justification for their poor start, but Kevin Doyle isn't buying that excuse.
Appearing on The Buildup podcast in association with Ladbrokes this week, the former Ireland international said Solskjaer's excuses after the game were an 'embarrassment'.
Kevin Doyle isn't overreacting to Manchester United's loss to Palace but is a bit fed up with some of the excuses.
You can listen to the full chat with Kevin on a this week's Buildup here: https://t.co/TBUMz6ibQZ or subscribe by searching "The Buildup" on your podcast app. pic.twitter.com/gqYlzhv0yC— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 24, 2020
It annoyed, more than disappointed me. How can you not be fit?
Say they had little time to turn it around, they had three weeks off. You shouldn't lose your fitness in three weeks anyway.
That's an even bigger load of baloney because you should have maintained your fitness from last season, not had a chance to lose it. Whatever they're doing in training has been pretty crap in the few weeks they've been back together.
If Crystal Palace are able to look sharp and fit, (so should) Manchester United. I'd imagine they have a million lads working on fitness there in the gym and doing all those things, probably overkill.
Every player probably has his own fella there looking after him, but it's not working whatever they're doing.
It's a terrible excuse to use actually. It's an embarrassment for a manager to say 'we're not fit enough', because it's his job to make sure the person is doing it, to get them fit. You're watching them every day in training, you should know.
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