Former Manchester United Champions League winner, Birmingham City, Brighton and Polish Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak spoke exclusively to 888sport about the current Manchester United set up, new Manager Ruben Amorim, Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana.
Tomasz also shared with us his view on the new ownership at Birmingham City, his proudest moment playing football and how things have changed at Brighton, since he played for them.
Tomasz Kuszczak On Manchester United
Tomasz: It was an honour to play for Manchester United and I had an incredible time playing for the Club. We had good success, and I will cherish the memories I have of going intro training every day and playing for the best club in the world.
Looking at the time since Sir Alex, you can see a clear difference. Whilst at Manchester United Sir Alex was an incredible Manager. He made all players feel special. It was a special connection we all had, the spirit, the hard work and everyone was fighting for the same cause.
Sir Alex had installed a strong family connection in the squad, and we are all in it together. Sir Alex ensured a culture of we look after each other, we care for one another. It was the Manchester United family.
You knew everyone would be putting 100% effort in training, the mentality was so strong with all of us. You could feel it, day in day out. It was very different at Manchester United than any other football Club.
Looking since he left, you can tell the connection hasn’t been the same and that could be a reason that the success hasn’t been sustained. The squad unity isn’t there right now, you can see that.
That is the reason the team aren’t being consistent. Ole, I believe tried to install this in the players, but under Erik Ten Hag, it’s clear there was difficulties.
So, moving forward with Amorim, I believe he can get it right, there will be lots of changes to the playing squad and it will take time, but you can see what he is trying to install in the players and in the club, both off and on the pitch and this is paramount for Manchester United. There must be a togetherness back with Manchester United.
I don’t think the current players understand what it means to play for Manchester United and this has to change.
I watch the games, and you can tell the players put the effort in, they run, they chase, they work hard, but there is something missing, understanding the mentality of Manchester United.
On Marcus Rashford
Tomasz: Marcus Rashford is a top player. There is absolutely no doubting this. He is an England international. He has scored big goals in big games over the years and one of the leaders on the pitch in previous years.
Over the years he has proved he is top class and scored many top goals. Technically he is great, score’s goals, and a respectful personality, looks after people off and on the pitch.
The situation now isn’t good at all. Amorim has his own vision and now it’s a question of what will happen next. Marcus isn’t in the team right now and this isn’t good at all for either Manchester United for Marcus.
I think Marcus will leave Manchester United and be a success elsewhere, because he is a great player, but right now he isn’t in a great moment. For me, it will be difficult to replace Marcus Rashford.
In the history of Manchester United, you have seen top players move during their career, whether it’s Stam, Ronaldo, Beckham etc. this happens, so with Marcus, it’s the same.
On Andre Onana
Tomasz: I think he is a solid goalkeeper. If I review the games over the past few years at Man Utd he has made a lot of good saves. It has been a difficult time and defensively Manchester United have not been at their best and conceding goals.
There have been many changes in the back four, so this doesn't help a goalkeeper, but he kept many goals out. Also, the more chances the team concedes, the more chances of making a mistake.
There haven't been many bad errors but is adapting well at Manchester United. He is vey good with the ball at his feet. He is international level and was no mean feat to take over from De Gea.
I don’t think Onana is a player that is first on the list when Amorim is looking to make changes, so expect him to stay.
On Cristiano Ronaldo
Tomasz: I played with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United and I see there is no reason why he can’t reach 1,000 goals.
He is so motivated and with this target in reach, he looks after his body so well, he can achieve it. He is turning 40 in February, so as long as he doesn’t get injuries, I hope he does it.
He is one of the best players in the world, when I played with him, you can see his dedication to the game, his DNA is so strong, his personality is great as well.
But, to play at the level he is at his age is an unbelievable achievement and one to be massively proud of. The intensity is different to the Premier League, but still, you have to admire Ronaldo.
Playing with Ronaldo and training with him, you will not get a better trainer, a hard worker, he was a young player and very professional, he looked after his body so well.
Whilst I was at Manchester United, you could see he was getting better every season and it was amazing to watch him grow. He had excellent vision and his desire and mentality was evident.
You look at other top sportsman and Ronaldo is the same as them. We all knew at Manchester United that he was going all the way to the top and it was an honour to play in the same team as him.
Is winning the Champions League your proudest achievement in your career?
Tomasz: I don’t know whether it was the proudest moment in my career. Is was one of those for sure, one you always remember. Some players never get to lift a trophy and I got to lift trophies and it was amazing.
There were many proud moments where I felt successful, and I felt strong. My proudest moment was to play with the players I played with. I played with Kanu, Kevin Campbell, who sadly passed away and obviously Ronaldo.
You go to training and train with top players and this makes you feel proud when you play with top players. the whole experience during my career it was great to play with high quality and highly professional players.
Obviously highest moment was playing for Manchester United, but I had the pleasure for other top clubs in England and all of them were special. When you help your team mates to win makes you proud too.
There’s lots of excitement around Birmingham City under their new owners. How much would you have loved to play for Blues right now?
Tomasz: Yes, I enjoyed my time at Birmingham City a lot. A passionate crowd, a real good understanding of football and lots of excitement with the new ownership.
The Club really needed some good investment and Ownership who were ambitious, and these new Owners are that. It’s great to see them doing so well, investing in good players and this is showing the rewards.
They have a big chance for promotion and then you look at other teams who have won League One, they have had a good season the following year, so lots of optimism for sure.
During your time at Brighton, the club was still finding its footing in the Championship. Did you ever imagine they would reach the Premier League and achieve such remarkable success in Europe?
Tomasz: When you have the infrastructure that Brighton did and the well thought ownership they do, you always thought it could be possible to get to the Premier League.
The signs were there with the type of manager and football Brighton were playing and the type of player who Brighton were signing.
The proof is evident with the way Brighton go about their business that their recruitment policy is so strong and even losing managers, the next one came in and made a positive impact.
The success today is testament to what goes on behind the scenes, but ultimately the players must perform on the pitch, which they do so well.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Adobe*
