Erik ten Hag has had a dreadful start to his third season as Manchester United manager, a situation Martin Keown predicted as soon as he was awarded a new contract.
Martin Keown has slammed Manchester United’s choice to remain Erik ten Hag as manager despite last season’s poor performance.
Despite placing seventh last year, the Dutchman was surprised to receive a new contract this summer. United has only won twice this season.
That form has put Ten Hag back in the firing line after another summer of lavish expenditure. United are now 11th in the rankings, six points behind the top four and having played one fewer game.
Despite winning the FA Cup in May, Keown has admitted that he couldn’t believe Ten Hag was given another chance to impress. The former Arsenal player has stated that the Dutchman is already on the hot seat.”It’s rather remarkable that you’d continue with a manager who lost 13 Premier League games last season. “Manchester United won the FA Cup, which saved Erik ten Hag,” said the former England defender on Football Focus.
“He is already under tremendous strain. Then you look at Ange at Spurs, who haven’t won a trophy since 2008, which was 16 years ago. I believe Spurs will now turn a corner.
“I admire how the manager is putting it out there and betting that he will win something in his second season. Nonetheless, he is willing to lay it all on the line, which I appreciate.”
Ten Hag himself has recognized that his team has not been good enough this season. He insisted on tougher standards at Old Trafford as he attempts to take them back up the league.”First and foremost, I respect the critique. There are several. You can have an opinion on football; yet, when you are working, you must cope with it. But I can’t take every critique into consideration,” he explained.
Of course, I do not read all of the criticism; it is impossible, but I do not want to know either. It’s about: I need to know some, and some of the advise is excellent… but for me, the key is to stay clinical and assess where the team is and where we need to improve.
“Be deliberate in your approach, guiding the team in the proper direction and taking the necessary measures to get the most out of the team. I believe we will be assessed every game, which is natural.
And everyone expects United to win every game, and we all know this, so it’s no mystery. When you join this group, you have to cope with this element, as we do. We are headed in the right path.”
