Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane have both raised doubts over Erik ten Hag’s future, after the Reds fell to their 11th league defeat of the season.
The Dutchman is under mounting pressure to end the season strongly.
It doesn’t help that we’ve lost more ground in the race for a top four finish following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat against rivals Man City. Of course, the result did not come as a surprise, but we desperately wanted to avoided it after losing 2-1 against Fulham last week.
Ten Hag could rescue the season by leading United to FA Cup glory, while a return to the Champions League is becoming an even harder ask.
With co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected to make a lot of changes at the club, former right-back Gary Neville thinks Ten Hag has good reason to be concerned about his future at Old Trafford.
“Last season I think was really good in the sense of winning a trophy, getting into the Champions League, getting to an FA Cup final, there were a lot of good things about last season in terms of setting a foundation for Erik ten Hag,” Neville told Sky Sports, as quoted by The Metro.
“I would have expected this season, not to win the league no one expected Manchester United to win the league, but they didn’t expect them to be in sixth, so far off.
“So I think that’s the problem, they’ve lost 11 games in the league, their performances are inconsistent so is it because that’s what happens in the second season? He just needs a third to get it right?
“Or actually is this just what they are and this is what he is? That’s the challenge Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS will have, where are we at in this journey? Are we going in the right direction?”
Fellow former United captain, Roy Keane, was in agreement with Neville.
“The summer is huge for him,” Keane said. “Just for example if they miss out on the Champions League and don’t win a trophy, or get to the FA Cup final or whatever. Then you look back and think, where are we going?
“That’s why the next few months, if they can win the FA Cup, get fifth, get into the Champions League then it looks different. But the next few months are huge for him.”
Keane was then asked a follow-up question about whether he thinks United are going in the right direction.
“I’m not sure at the moment,” the Irishman replied. “Huge question marks. Every week you see United you don’t know what you’re going to get.
“11 defeats is nowhere near good enough. I always say, give the manager the benefit of the doubt. Come the summer you can reflect and see where United are at, but that’s why the next few months are huge for him.”
Hopefully Ten Hag can turn things around. It could be a quick turnaround starting with next weekend’s home clash against Everton.
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