Manchester United hero Paul Parker has exclusively shared with GB News his concerns for the club’s future, fearing fathers will have to fight to keep United jerseys on their kids.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club, United have been on a downward trajectory, failing to compete for Premier League or Champions League titles and without a major trophy since 2023.
This week, tension has bubbled up after defender Lisandro Martinez launched a scathing attack on the United board in a staggering interview following the Red Devils' 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.
The feel-good factor from the end of last season has gone, and Parker fears things could go from bad to worse.
He said: "Everyone is concerned. Everyone was on a little bit of a high at the end of the season, but as has been told by everyone, there's a reason why they got the opportunity. They were given the opportunity to finish on a high because they had no Europe, and they had no cup games left. So the manager was virtually allowed to play the same team consistently, and it worked for him.
"He got them through some little bad bits, but they wouldn't have normally got through if they had been in Europe or in the cup.
"Everyone is starting to see and getting a little bit worried about the way things are and how things can be changed. Relying on one player to get you out of trouble isn't Manchester United. It never has been.
"If you know Manchester United to compete, you'd look at a team, and you'd normally look at the front six and go, wow! That's how it used to be. That's how it was back in the day."
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Parker referenced the likes of Dwight Yorke, Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as incredible attacking options who would walk into United's squad today.
The former Red Devils defender fears the lack of star power in the squad today will put youngsters off from supporting and remaining loyal to United.
He told the People's Channel through Freebets: "There's a lot of disgruntled fans, the older ones who are mostly now; nostalgia is a key part of their life at this moment in time.
"You've got the younger ones who feel like they've missed out because they've got their dad and their grandparents throwing it at them what it was like before, and they're not seeing it when they turn up."
Parker continued: "So there is, at the moment, disappointment. I mean, it disappoints me. I've been away from the club for nearly 30 years. It makes you sad how things change.
"They're not able to get what they really want - to get bums off the seat. That's what United was all about. Now everyone goes there expecting to beat Manchester United.
"I'm sure there's a lot of dads out there who've come through off the back of their granddad who supported Manchester United because of what they've achieved.
"I'm sure there's a lot of dads out there at the moment fighting to keep that red jersey on their kids, because their kids are getting abused by all their mates. He wants to get to a different team."
United have a tricky fixture on Sunday against Leeds United, who sit seventh in the Premier League after a narrow defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
The Red Devils are in desperate need of three points, having only won once in their first six league games.
"It's going to be very, very difficult," said Parker. "The Leeds fans are going to be at them. Given their performance at the Emirates, those Leeds fans are going to be buzzing.
"They've got great grounding at the moment to go into this fixture because of what happened over the weekend - it's not the game that Manchester United needed or wanted."
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