Man United stars are ‘growing WEARY of Erik ten Hag’s criticism – and believe he has ‘favourites’ in the squad who he won’t pick on’ as pressure rises amid Antony’s indefinite absence and dire results
- Manchester United have endured a nightmarish start to the new season
- According to reports, players are starting to get tired of Erik ten Hag’s criticism
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Several Manchester United players are fed up with Erik ten Hag’s criticism and believe the manager has favorites he doesn’t want to highlight, reports claim.
United have suffered four defeats in their last five games in all competitions and the pressure is mounting on Ten Hag as he struggles to end his side’s poor form.
A frustrated Ten Hag has openly taken aim at his side’s habit of conceding sloppy goals this season, and has also taken flak for not following his tactics.
However, it is now said that his anger has caused a potential rift in the United dressing room, with some players claiming the boss is routinely picking the same names.
On the other hand, Ten Hag has also been accused of being unwilling to criticize others, despite having made similar mistakes. Manchester Evening News said.
Although Ten Hag is reluctant to name the players he believes are falling short in matches, Jadon Sancho has been frozen out due to poor performance in training.
The same report adds that certain players believe they have been placed in a difficult position in carrying out their technical demands, with the approach feeling hampered by the absence of forward Antony sneaking in.
Antony was recruited to fill the gap on the right wing but has been placed on indefinite leave as he fights multiple domestic abuse allegations.
He denies any wrongdoing.
Due to the loss of a senior left-footed attacker, the balance in Ten Hag’s team has suffered.
It is also claimed that Ten Hag expected to select Mason Greenwood, another left-footer, before United U-turned their plans to reintroduce him into the first-team setup and loaned him to LaLiga club Getafe.
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Mason Mount was signed from Chelsea this summer in a deal worth around £60 million and could well be placed on the right side of the front line if fit.
After the defeat to Bayern Munich last year, Ten Hag blasted his defenders for ‘easy giveaways’ and demanded ‘sacrifice and suffering’ from his stuttering players.
“(I’m) disappointed and if you score three goals in Munich you have to at least get a point and we didn’t do that,” he told the media after the match. ‘And you have to look in the mirror, because the goals were easy to give away.
‘We were better in the game in the first 25 minutes and then that goal was so easy and it wasn’t just Andre (Onana’s fault). When you see how easily (Leroy) Sane does it and that has to do with determination, you don’t let players pass that easily.’
Ten Hag then added: ‘That’s the point: we have to cross the line as individuals and as a team to win games, because that’s where it started.
“That’s what I mean, you have to suffer, make sacrifices in situations, give everything and stop it, and only when we get that in will we win games.
‘Of course he (Onana) knows he has to stop the ball, but the way Sane came through that can’t be. And the second goal; it’s almost the same on the other side. How easily players get through our box and finish, that can’t be true.
“What you saw at a very high level was against Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Brighton, all top level teams, and we go against each other but they win.
‘We have to make our own luck and that has to do with determination, then you make your own luck, otherwise you don’t understand it. Nobody will bring you anything in football.’
United are back in action this weekend against newcomer Burnley.