FORMER Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has blasted Erik ten Hag and pointed out his three managerial flaws.
The Dutchman is fighting for his future at Old Trafford as his struggling Red Devils were hammered 4-0 at Crystal Palace.
And Meulensteen – who spent six years from 2007-2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson – hit out at Ten Hag.
He told Dutch outlet NOS: “It is really incomprehensible what is happening now. There is simply no progress whatsoever.
“You know, as a new trainer you always have to deal with a selection that you have not put together yourself.
“So, it takes a few transfer periods before you get the players you want. I always say, a trainer needs 18 months to get it right, to get on track.
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“But now there is none of that optimism left. There is no playing style, club culture or philosophy.
“If you look at the statistics it doesn’t make any sense. Manchester United has a goal difference of minus three!”
United now sit eighth in the Premier League with Chelsea above them on goal difference.
But SunSport understands Ten Hag will be given the rest of the season to turn around the club’s fortunes.
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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.”
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And that means he will be in charge for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25.
Jose Mourinho – who was sacked by United in 2018 after less than two seasons – has been linked with a stunning Old Trafford return.
And Ten Hag himself has emerged as a candidate to replace Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich with the German potentially going the other way.
Ten Hag also made the decision to ban media from asking him questions at a press conference, with SunSport among them.
But that is another mistake Meulensteen believes the under-fire boss has made recently.
He said: “That is really not smart. The media of course have the right to ask questions.
“They also see what kind of results are on the board, such as the 4-0 against Crystal Palace. Then it is logical that they ask critical questions.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk