Former Liverpool star John Barnes says Manchester United’s poor season is down to fans and players not backing Erik ten Hag.
This couldn’t be further from the truth as far as the fans are concerned and I fear Barnes, who doesn’t attend games at Old Trafford regularly (why would he?), is simply acknowledging only what he reads online.
United are 13 points adrift of fourth place and it doesn’t look like we will be qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Speaking to Genting Casino, as quoted by The Mirror, Barnes made his feelings on United and Ten Hag clear: “I have no idea what Jim Ratcliffe is going to do, but he should stick with Ten Hag. I think that Erik ten Hag is a very good manager. Which manager is going to do better than Erik ten Hag to take Manchester United forward?”
Barnes then took aim at United’s players and fans, saying: “Until the fans and the players start to respect who their manager is, then nothing is going to improve. The players need to take some responsibility for Manchester United’s performances.
“I would never accuse a player of not trying or not trying to do their absolute best, but the question is, if Manchester United lose, who are the fans gong to boo? As long as the answer is the manager, then the players will absolve themselves of any responsibility subconsciously.
“I don’t think that any player enters the field with the intention of not giving his best, but you know as a player that when things are going against you, you have to run harder, you have to win your duels, you have to try harder, and that is what you do.”
It’s not a fair depiction of United’s match-going support, who have rallied behind Ten Hag in what has been a difficult second at Old Trafford for the Dutchman. We haven’t forgotten how Ten Hag’s side massively overachieved in his debut campaign or the fact he has had to overcome several episodes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and regular injury crises.
The squad needs a makeover and most fans I know believe Ten Hag deserves another transfer window as well as sufficient backing from our new co-owners ahead of a third season at the club.
However, there is no denying that Ten Hag is under mounting pressure and Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Coventry City presents the team’s last chance at silverware this season.
A win over the Championship side would see Ten Hag reach three finals in two years as United manager. I’d argue that is still progression but we are seeing a lot of pundits – including Gary Neville – buying into the hype surrounding the manager’s job. Neville recently suggested that injuries are no longer considered a valid excuse. Sorry, but according to who?
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