Man Utd legend launches stinging attack on ‘not good enough’ Erik ten Hag and predicts he’ll be ‘gone by Christmas’
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Teddy Sheringham claims Erik ten Hag is “not good enough” to be the club’s manager and reckons he’ll be “gone by CHRISTMAS.”
Ten Hag was given a surprise reprieve by new football chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the summer, resulting in a two-year contract extension and extensive backing in the transfer market.
The Dutchman splashed out on five new signings in Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.
But United have already lost two Premier League matches this season against Liverpool and Brighton.
They were also fortunate in their sole win so far, a late 1-0 win against Fulham.
And counting the Community Shield penalty defeat to Man City makes it three defeats from four already.
United’s dud performance in Sunday’s 3-0 home loss to Liverpool was particularly tough for fans to swallow.
Ten Hag was outplayed for the whole match by Arne Slot, who only joined the Reds this summer.
And the pressure is starting to build on the Dutchman despite a public vote of confidence from CEO Omar Berrada.
However, former United striker Sheringham believes Ten Hag is already on thin ice.
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Having survived last season thanks to his FA Cup final win over City, Sheringham reckons Ten Hag has now proven for sure that he is “not good enough” to manage a club of United’s calibre.
And the Treble winner, who netted 46 goals in 153 games for the Red Devils between 1997 and 2001, will eat his hat if Ten Hag lasts past the Christmas period.
Ten Hag's five worst defeats
ERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.
5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023
The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.
4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023
It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.
3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022
Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.
2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024
The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.
1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023
Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years.
Sheringham told Ladbrokes: “When you’re finishing eighth in the Premier League, that’s quite clearly not good enough, for Man United.
“Full stop. End of story, for me. You’ve got to change what’s going on.
“When you look at the inconsistency of last season, and that has followed on, without a shadow of the doubt in the first three games of this season… you can see there’s been no change whatsoever.
“Different players, maybe. But still no change in the philosophy, and the way Erik ten Hag wants to play.
“Look, I don’t want to see people getting sacked. It’s not nice to say that people shouldn’t be in certain positions, but he shouldn’t be there. It’s not good enough for Man United.
“They’ve fallen way below the expectancy levels, and to think that it’s alright to finish eighth… it’s just wrong.
“Do I think the manager will be there at the end of the season? No, I don’t. I think he’ll be gone by Christmas.”
Teddy Sheringham was speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes’ “Gaffer of all Accas”
Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Tom Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.