United team a 'joke', claims Best

Manchester United legend George Best has blasted the team as “a joke” – and written off their title chances.

The former Northern Ireland international, who is recovering from a liver transplant carried out at the end of last month, strongly believed his former club would regain their Premiership title – but now believes their best chance of silverware is The FA Cup.

He said: “At the start of this season I was sure Manchester United would be walking away with the Premiership – how wrong I was. The team is a joke.

“That sounds harsh, but the rash of injuries, loss of good players, poor discipline and instability surrounding the club have done it for my team.

“The Premiership title is a non-starter. I think that particular piece of silverware will be heading back to Arsenal come the summer.

“As for Europe I don’t think anyone’s got a chance of beating Real Madrid, although Liverpool could come close.

“Right now, even Leeds, Chelsea and Newcastle are laughing up their sleeves at Manchester United – they think it’s the end of an era.”

However, he continued in The Mail on Sunday’s magazine Night and Day: “That might be the case – but I wouldn’t bet on it.

“The team is in the doldrums, but on their day they can still beat the best with ease.

“The Premiership is all about consistency. The FA Cup is all about rising to the occasion. That’s something no team does better than United.

“My bet is that a rattled Manchester United will go for broke and lift The FA Cup. They won’t be happy with just that – but at the moment it’s all they deserve.”

Best also believes the game’s big names should be taking more responsibility for their actions on the pitch – and says he is “embarrassed” by the way the game is “spiralling out of control”.

He added: “It seems crazy that Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and Manchester United’s David Beckham have been let off for deliberate elbowing.

“I hate to say it but both Beckham and Henry should have been given at least a one-match ban for their behaviour.

“Both are world-class players and should have known better. They are usually fine examples to their team-mates and to a game that is spiralling out of control.

“It just shows what a shambles so much of footie has become.

“Referees are still well below the standard they should be for the Premiership and a review of matches and incidents by the FA is haphazard at best.

“To be honest I’m embarrassed to be called a footballer at the moment. The public thinks players are thick, overpaid, that they complain all the time, whinge about getting tired after seven matches and end up in court every few weeks. The sport has become one big soap opera.

“I want to see action on the pitch, not off it. Players need to get stuck in and start tackling again. I can’t remember the last time I saw a proper tackle.

“David, Thierry and everybody else need to realise there’s nothing wrong with strong physical contact, but you can’t get away with a cowardly elbow.”