FORMER Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given said that Manchester United’s problems extend beyond the field following their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle last night.
He believes there is a “real divide” between the players and Erik Ten Hag as he delivered his analysis on the heavy defeat.
The result was United’s second consecutive 3-0 loss at home after being beaten by Manchester City at the weekend.
There is a growing feeling that Ten Hag has lost the dressing room at United, with his treatment of Jadon Sancho continuing to dominate conversation.
The winger continues to be exiled from the squad until he apologises to the manager, but that position has been undermined by Ten Hag continuing to play the likes of Antony.
Raphael Varane’s absence from the Manchester derby first XI and complete omission from the squad yesterday is another talking point, with some claiming the Frenchmen is the “new scapegoat”.
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Given told Sky Sports after the match: “It feels there is a real divide, in my opinion, between the players and the manager.
“I think there are a lot of fall outs behind the scenes, that maybe we don’t hear about.
“Varane was missing tonight and in the derby, ill, Sancho is out of the picture and Antony has had his issues.
“At the end of any managerial reign at any club, there seems to be a disbelief.
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“Players have to take responsibility, that’s their job when you cross the white line.
“But it seems at the end of someone’s tether that players, I don’t want to say down tools, but there is disconnection.
“Losing the derby at the weekend and then losing here tonight, the game was over after an hour.”
Former Manchester United and Newcastle striker Andy Cole said the club needs to stick together in the midst of defeat with the club now at a crossroads.
He told Sky Sports: “Losing Sunday and again this evening, the performance wasn’t good and Ten Hag knows that and appreciates that.
“He is talking about looking at himself, but the players need to look at themselves as once you go over the white line, it is not about the manager, it is about playing for each other.”
United have the chance to arrest their poor run of form since the international break when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham this Saturday.
Another poor result could leave the manager in big trouble – with United ninth and eight points adrift of a Champions League spot.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
