Man Utd squad’s true feelings on Ten Hag revealed as controversial manager hire ruled out

Manchester United’s players are divided on Erik ten Hag’s future, but they agree on one major issue currently impacting the team, and club officials have apparently opted against selecting Gareth Southgate next.

According to Manchester United writer Andy Mitten, who claimed to have talked with numerous members of the first-team squad, no player was willing to completely support Ten Hag or demand for his dismissal at the conclusion of last season. However, one issue that is plainly irritating everyone at Old Trafford is the way other teams are finding space and ‘carving us open’.

“An hour after the FA Cup final win, I spoke to half a dozen of United players outside the dressing room and asked them about the manager,” Mitten told The Athletic after the game.

“The words were not being recorded.” No one said the manager should be fired outright. No one said he had to remain.

“However, there were apparent disagreements between players and management over his method. One of them stated, ‘You cannot have clubs in the relegation zone like Sheffield [United] and Burnley coming to Old Trafford and cutting us open’.”

Man Utd stars are plainly dissatisfied.
Despite having a forgettable season in 2023-24, Sheff Utd twice led at Manchester United in April until Bruno Fernandes rallied his team to a 4-2 win.

Three days later, Ten Hag’s side was held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley, who were relegated with Sheff Utd.

While the statements made by those Manchester United players are some months old, Mitten has revealed them in response to mounting criticism on Ten Hag.

Despite considering prospective replacements like as Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, Manchester United ultimately decided to continue with the Dutchman in the summer. However, 3-0 home defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks may have Man United executives reconsidering their choice.

Former England manager Southgate has regularly been mentioned as a potential contender for the Manchester United post if Ten Hag is fired. However, according to multiple sources, including Sky Sports and the Manchester United news site Muppetiers, the club does not intend to appoint Southgate.

They are conscious that selecting the 54-year-old will not appeal to a substantial portion of the fan base. While Southgate is one of England’s most successful managers of all time, having led the team to two European Championship finals, his conservative style of play has upset fans.

This, of course, raises the issue of who else could replace Ten Hag if Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox decide to take the plunge.

The Italian press has suggested former Juventus manager Max Allegri, who is presently a free agent, and Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi as contenders.

Sources have revealed to TEAMtalk that Ten Hag’s number two, Ruud van Nistelrooy, is being lined up to take over the role on an interim basis soon.

If Van Nistelrooy performs well, he might be offered the post permanently. The iconic former striker is already popular among Manchester United fans, and he excelled during his last time in charge of PSV.

Manchester United roundup: McCoist counsel, Liverpool menace.

Pundit Ally McCoist has spoken out on the Manchester United manager problem, saying why he believes they should continue with Ten Hag.

“It’s impossible to determine how long United should give Ten Hag given they’ve only recently renewed his contract. “With the new owners giving him that new deal, it would make sense for them to stick with him regardless of what happens in the near future,” he added.

“It would be absurd to grant him a new contract and then fire him right immediately; it makes no sense.

“Unless there’s a rapid and unbelievable decline in results and standards, I think Ten Hag will be in charge at least until Christmas.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United fear losing one of their transfer targets to Liverpool.

Despite the additions of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt as centre-backs in the summer, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite remains on Ratcliffe’s wishlist at Manchester United.

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool is intensifying its pursuit of Branthwaite in order to outbid Manchester United for his services.

Liverpool may even lunge for the 22-year-old centre-back in January to assure his arrival at Anfield.

However, Arne Slot’s team will have to pay a high price since Everton would not trade him cheaply to their local rivals. A bid of roughly £75 million (€90 million or US$99.7 million) is expected to be necessary to close the sale.

How do Ten Hag and Southgate compare?