Manchester United legend Roy Keane believes his Erik ten Hag only kept his job by winning the FA Cup last season, whilst warning the manager that the team must improve.
Keane, who is renowned for setting standards in successful United teams over 12 years, isn’t one to hold back. The Irishman says it how it is which is why he has been such a hit on the Stick to Football podcast.
On the latest episode of the award-winning podcast, led by Gary Neville, Keane reflected on how Ten Hag came under threat of losing his job following a dismal Premier League and European campaign. The Reds finished eighth in the league and crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages.
Keane believes the unexpected FA Cup triumph over rivals Man City have Ten Hag some ‘breathing space’ ahead of a defining season for the Reds.
“The cup game gave him [Erik ten Hag] some breathing space and rightly so, but he can’t be finishing eighth next year,” Keane said on Stick to Football.
“They [Manchester United] have to be competing next year in the top four, it’s going to be hard to win but it’s about competing, the records they’ve created the last 12 months in the league, it’s so poor.”
Keane also weighed in on the importance of club backing for Ten Hag, after the Dutchman agreed to sign a new contract at United.
“He only had one year left on his contract and they didn’t want the uncertainty going into the new season,” he added. “The clauses will still be the same and it’s not to mean that thet won’t get rid of him in October or November, it’s just a message to give him a backing.”
United are currently in the US preparing for the new competitive season.
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