Stam says they're just walking, Man Utd after painful City loss
Manchester United legend Jaap Stam blasted four of his former teammates – Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha – after the Red Devils fell 1‑0 at home to Manchester City on Sunday, despite enduring 67 minutes with ten men.
Derby defeat details
Comments Sport Isaac Seelochan Senior Sports Journalist 17:40, 14 Sep 2026, 14 Sep 2026 View 2 Images captured the disappointment as the Red Devils played with 10 men for 67 minutes plus added time and still lost 1‑0. Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images showed the four United players singled out by Stam. Four United players were highlighted in the post‑match analysis, and the loss left the side languishing in 13th after four matches. The match took place on Sunday’s fixture at Old Trafford, with Man and Utd supporters left to rue the missed chances.
City’s winner sparked controversy when Erling Haaland’s second‑half strike stood despite Enzo Fernandez appearing to interfere from an off‑side position. The Premier League’s refereeing body Pro Ref later admitted an error of judgment by the VAR officials, adding another layer to United’s painful defeat.
Stam's scathing verdict
Stam told, “If you look at City and if you look at this game, it was easy for them today, even with 10 men. They’re just walking, they’re just looking at the situation.” He added that United’s forwards showed a worrying lack of urgency, saying, “Against 10 men, even if it’s City with the quality that they have, you would expect United to be on the front foot every time.” The former centre‑half’s comments were echoed in the post‑match interview, where he also criticised the team’s width and crossing attempts.
Sport journalist Isaac Seelochan, Senior Sports Journalist for the outlet, noted that Stam’s remarks were blunt and that “they’re walking” summed up the collective performance of the four criticised players. View 2 Images of the post‑match press conference captured the intensity of the discussion, and the image of Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images became widely shared.
Carrick under pressure
United boss Michael Carrick now presides over the club’s joint‑worst opening to a Premier League season, matching the poor start under Ruben Amorim last term and the 1992‑93 campaign. After four matches, Carrick’s side sit in 13th position, a sequence that has featured a defeat at Hull City and a frustrating stalemate at Everton.
Carrick took over from the dismissed Portuguese manager on a temporary basis in January and delivered an impressive recovery that secured a third‑place finish. He was given the role permanently in May, but the sluggish start has placed the former midfielder under increased pressure. The Red Devils must now respond quickly, as United’s future hinges on turning the criticism into performance.
Looking ahead, United must address the issues highlighted by Stam if they are to climb the table. The pressure on Michael Carrick is mounting, and the club’s next fixtures will test whether the Red Devils can reverse the trend and restore confidence among supporters.