David Beckham says the Manchester United squad should not rely on Erik ten Hag to instil motivation ahead of the FA Cup final, arguing that such a drive to win should come natural to them.
United are currently in a slump having won just one of their last seven Premier League games and go into Sunday’s clash with Arsenal on the back of Monday’s 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace.
The club sit eighth with three games to go, two points off a top six and Europa League spot.
After Arsenal, United face Newcastle and Brighton to see out the league season before the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 25 in what is a repeat of last season’s showpiece.
While at the premiere of Amazon’s ‘99’ treble documentary in Manchester this week, Beckham – who won the FA Cup twice with United – underlined that despite the club’s drab season,
the squad should not be needing any extra external motivation heading into this year’s showdown.
He told talkSPORT: “You’d hope that the manager doesn’t have to do much [to motivate the players]. I think that’s the whole point of being a Manchester United player and playing in these big games.
“You know you should be motivated when you’re a professional footballer and you’re doing the job that you love and you’re at the club that you love. Whether it’s a regular season game or whether it’s an FA Cup final against your rivals, that should be enough motivation.
“If it’s not then you’re in the wrong team and you’re playing the wrong sport. I think at the end of the day, we went into every game, wherever it was a Youth Cup game, a friendly or a European Cup final with the same mentality and the same drive.
“That’s what you’d hope any team and any player for Manchester United, go into an FA Cup final with. I hope the current players can take inspiration from our achievements.”
Manchester United are in desperate need of a turnaround, with their recent form leaving much to be desired. The upcoming FA Cup final against Arsenal is a crucial opportunity for the squad to redeem themselves and finish the season on a high note.David Beckham, a club legend who knows a thing or two about winning FA Cups, believes that the players should not require external motivation to perform at their best. As professionals, wearing the Manchester United shirt should be motivation enough to give their all on the pitch.Heading into the final stretch of the season, with matches against Newcastle and Brighton before the FA Cup final, the players must dig deep and find the drive to secure a top-six finish and a spot in the Europa League. These are not just any games, but opportunities to showcase their talent and pride in playing for such a prestigious club.Beckham’s words serve as a reminder of the mindset required to succeed at Manchester United. Regardless of the circumstances, whether it’s a regular season game or a cup final, the expectation is the same – to give everything for the badge and the fans who support them week in and week out.As fans, we can only hope that the current squad heeds Beckham’s advice and approaches the upcoming challenges with the same determination and hunger for success that defined his era at the club. Let’s rally behind the team and show our support as they aim to finish the season on a high note. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on all things Manchester United.
