Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra has called on new manager Erik ten Hag to avoid players motivated by money rather than a commitment to the club.
Ten Hag has arrived in the UK to watch his new charges take on Crystal Palace in the final game of the Premier League season. While top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of the game, the performances of others at Selhurst Park can act as auditions for the former Ajax boss.
A number of the current crop are expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of this season, with Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba among them. However, there may yet be more exits as Ten Hag prepares to lead his new side into the 2022-23 campaign, and Evra would welcome a significant change.
"Now it's about the board, the players, what we're going to do, a better structure." said Evra, speaking to Sky Sports after the 'Legends of the North' game between former United and Liverpool players. "The players have been here for so many years. The fans, they are on them, so it brings a lot of negativity around the club, so we need fresh blood.
"New players, but what kind of players? Players that will come for the badge, or that will come for the money and the fame? I'm even looking more for players with character, and [at] the reason exactly why they come for United."
When asked if he expected a big turnaround in numbers, Evra said "of course". "I think it's time," he added. "It's time for change, I think it will be a dramatic change."
United have been linked with a number of potential recruits as Ten Hag gets to work on his squad. Ajax players past and present have been mentioned - including Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller - while River Plate star Enzo Fernandez is among the others linked.
Who should Man Utd sign and sell this summer? Have your say in the comments section
The former Monaco defender suggested there was a sense of deja vu when he spoke to United fans about the current squad, though he accepted signings for the sake of signings wouldn't solve things. "I'm not saying if 10 players leave and 10 players come then this will be the solution, but it would be a good start," he said.
"It's the same players, [with fans] questioning why they play, why they're here, and I think even those players don't want to be at United any more, because I can see some players feel sad. You should feel blessed and grateful when you're wearing that jersey, so there's something wrong.
"That's why I hope those players, if they don't want to stay here any more, they just leave the club. And the new players that come in, they're going to fight for this badge."
