ERIK TEN HAG has hit back at his critics amid claims the Manchester United boss is on the brink of the sack.
The Dutchman is set to be walking out the door even if the Red Devils beat Man City at the FA Cup final today.
United’s dismal season is set to cost Ten Hag his job as reports on Friday revealed the 54-year-old will be sacked this weekend.
The ex-Ajax man claimed the reason for the slack he has been getting this term is because people see United as an “easy prey”.
Ten Hag told Dutch outlet Voetbal International: “The pundits in England want to score, they want to show they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United is an easy prey.
“It’s the biggest club in England and possibly in the world. The club is either loved or hated, there is no in-between.
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“So when things go bad, they all start talking and talking with very big words.
“All this negativism from these so called experts who don’t have the capability to analyse something with facts, but who prefer to attack people to make themselves look better.
“And these same people were the ones who gave me a pat on the back last year.
“Last year I was able to walk on water, this year I am the worst manager in the Premier League!”
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And fans quickly responded on social media to say “this is full blown war”.
While another added: “No truer words Erik, you won my heart.”
Ten Hag, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2022, led the Red Devils to a third-place finish and EFL Cup glory in his first season at the club.
But has been unable to build upon that success this term, with United recording their lowest-ever Premier League finish.
But in a blast at those who still expect more, he said: “Manchester United won the league for the last time in 2013, 11 years ago. But, still, they expect us to win every game while competing at the top. This club is not ready for that.
“We were supposed to start building something and we made the first steps last year, but then you find out how big this club is and that nobody is ever satisfied.
“Within the club people were satisfied, but outside the club there was noise by saying I won only the Carabao Cup, lost the FA Cup Final and finished third. Well, then you have no sense of reality. Other clubs had a much better squad.”
Amid rumours that United chiefs are ready to move on from Ten Hag the Dutch boss has now claimed the owners “told him directly” that they want to “rebuild with him”.
He continued: “They said they want to change everything and that they want to rebuild with me. This is what they told me directly.
“Let me be clear. It has been bad. It has been crap. But despite everything, we are going to play an FA Cup final.”
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United have been hit with a number of injuries from the start of the season and saw their defence in particular suffer, which Ten Hag blamed for their poor performance.
Ten Hag added: “The injuries have been really crazy. Not long ago I had to start my 15th different centre back duo of the season. I have had 33 different defensive lines this season.”
Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
Michael Owen – He has to go
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
