Erik ten Hag lashes out at ‘so-called experts’ pundits, claiming they ‘attack people to make themselves look better’ and ‘show they are worth the money’ because Man United are ‘easy prey’ – after feud with Jamie Carragher
- Erik ten Hag is fired as manager of Manchester United after the FA Cup final
- The Dutchman has criticized the treatment of him all season
- Has Chelsea offered Manchester United a way out of Erik ten Hag’s darkness through the departure of Mauricio Pochettino? – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off! Podcast
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has criticized English pundits for their treatment of him during a heated interview.
The Dutchman is expected to be sacked after Saturday’s FA Cup final, regardless of whether United beat Manchester City or not.
It comes after a turbulent campaign in which the Red Devils finished in eighth place, their worst ever Premier League finish.
Former United players such as Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, alongside former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, have all criticized Ten Hag’s side this season.
The Dutchman came out swinging to defend himself in an interview with Dutch outlet VI, where he claimed United are ‘easy prey’ and that pundits ‘attack people to make themselves look better’ and ‘show that they are worth the money’.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has criticized English pundits for their treatment of him
Jamie Carragher is one of the pundits who has heavily criticized the Red Devils this season
“The experts in England want to score, they want to show that they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United are easy prey,” said Ten Hag.
‘It is the biggest club in England and possibly in the world. The club is loved or hated, there is no in between.
“So when things go bad, they all start talking and using really big words. All this negativity from these so-called experts who do not have the ability to analyze anything with facts but prefer to attack people to make themselves look better.
‘And these are the same people who patted me on the back last year. Last year I could walk on water, this year I am the worst manager in the Premier League.’
Ten Hag previously hit back at Carragher for his ‘subjective’ criticism of United’s pressure after the loss to Fulham in February.
Ten Hag (right) is expected to be sacked even if his side beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final
Mail Sport understands that United have spoken to Thomas Tuchel as well as representatives of Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna, another target for Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino and Brentford’s Thomas Frank are among the other contenders, although Pochettino is reluctant to talk to United until he has agreed a payout with Chelsea.
The only way United can qualify for European football next season is by beating City, which would earn them a place in the UEFA Europa League.
After a strong first season in charge following the move from Ajax, in which Ten Hag guided United to third place in the Premier League and enjoyed success in the Carabao Cup, they have slipped backwards.
A turbulent season has seen Manchester United endure its worst Premier League season
United’s European season was over by Christmas after they finished bottom of a group with Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray, while Newcastle knocked them out of the Carabao Cup.
In the FA Cup, United defeated Liverpool in the quarter-finals but needed penalties to beat Coventry City in the semi-finals after throwing away a 3–0 lead.
The poor season came after significant investment in Ten Hag’s squad, with an initial £64m spent on striker Rasmus Hojlund, £55m on midfielder Mason Mount and £43.8m on goalkeeper Andre Onana.
