Newcastle United legend Malcolm Macdonald has blasted club duo Kenedy and Christian Atsu following their recent Premier League defeat to Manchester City.
Kenedy was substituted in the match with the current league champions in the 52nd minute for having a headache, and Macdonald has admitted that he has not seen such a thing throughout his career.
As for Atsu, he believes that the midfielder is not utilising his best attribute very often, and that he should be using his pace to the team’s advantage when it comes to taking on defenders.
“Kenedy is having a nightmare. I’ve never ever in my life known a player come off with a headache, yet that apparently is why the Brazilian was subbed at Manchester City as early as the 52nd minute,” Macdonald – nicknamed ‘Supermac’ – wrote in the Chronicle.
“As for Atsu he simply doesn’t know how to use his greatest asset, his pace. When you can run as quickly as him you should automatically knock any pass you receive 10 yards beyond the nearest defender and go.
“As for Kenedy or Atsu helping out [Paul] Dummett they simply don’t as a rule, which is why United need Matt Ritchie back as quickly as possible. I’ve hardly ever seen a winger work harder when he hasn’t got the ball.”
OPINION
It is safe to say that the likes of Kenedy have been rather off the pace recently, and he was certainly not impressive in his first half stint against Manchester City. He has been a shadow of the player that he was in United’s first game of the season against Tottenham, which is a shame, as he has the potential to be a fantastic midfielder. His work rate seems to have decreased recently, which is the last thing that Rafa Benitez wants at the moment when he is aiming to secure his side’s first win. Kenedy needs to improve considerably, otherwise the fans will start to turn on him quickly. As for Atsu, he has hardly been effective of late either. He has not really had a positive influence on games, and it is a shame to see him not use his pace more often, just as Macdonald pointed out. If he did, then Newcastle would provide a more genuine threat up front than they already do – and that could seriously change the outcome of matches.