Former Liverpool hatchet man Graeme Souness believes Manchester United have already made their minds up regarding the future of Erik ten Hag, while criticising the club’s new ownership model and recruitment over the summer.
One would hope so after Tuesday’s executive meeting in London, which led to the national press standing outside INEOS’ HQ.
The reason for journalists and camera crews stems from the uncertainty surrounding Erik ten Hag as manager. After a poor start to the season, the Dutchman is under intense pressure to keep his job, although it looks like he will remain in charge of the team for the foreseeable future.
United are 14th in the Premier League and have drawn their first two Europa League matches. Ten Hag knows he needs to turn things around quickly – once the October international break ends!
Speaking on the Three Up Front podcast, courtesy of William Hill, Souness said: “When it comes to whether or not to they keep Erik ten Hag, I would think the owners have made their minds up already – unless United turn a major corner soon.
“I don’t know what to make of United anymore. We’ve been having the same conversations about them for a decade, but I haven’t seen any improvements, not even under the new ownership. I thought they’d be better this season but they haven’t improved at all.
“And that’s just the playing staff. I’m looking at the people higher up and wondering, are they going to turn Man United around? Where’s their football knowledge coming from at the highest level?”
Graeme Souness slams Manchester United recruitment
Joined by Simon Jordan and Troy Deeney, Souness went on a further rant about United’s recruitment and couldn’t help but mention Paul Pogba, who no longer plays for the Reds.
Souness suggests United keep signing players who aren’t good enough for the club.
“I look at players they signed this summer, they brought in Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, and Noussair Mazraoui,” said Souness. “But United aren’t a middle of the road club. Would a team like Real Madrid be signing those players? I don’t think they’re ambitious enough because they’re not going out and signing the types of players that will make a difference.
“In the end, that’s what nails Ten Hag. He’s signing players that he’s worked with before, so they wouldn’t have been someone else’s suggestion. He’s signed players that he knows and would’ve wanted, but they’re still not performing.
“United pay through the nose for players, but they’ve been signing poorly for years. You can go back to the likes of Anthony Martial, they only let him go last season but five years ago I was writing a column saying it was last chance saloon for him. They also signed Paul Pogba for a record transfer fee, that was madness!”
Where does one even start with Souness? I try and avoid him, tbh. Occasionally, I can’t help reading something he’s said or written but then I instantly regret it.