Erik ten Hag given ultimatum as he's told Man Utd stars 'are talking behind his back'
Erik ten Hag is on borrowed time at Manchester United but has been told by a former servant of the club what he must do to win back the players, and his job security
by Ben Crawford · The MirrorManchester United boss Erik ten Hag must learn to rule with an iron fist or risk an ousting, says former defender Paul Parker.
Having seemingly survived the sack after meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. earlier in the week, Ten Hag’s head coach status seems to be safe for the time being, though remains on tenterhooks.
His pitiful eight-point haul after seven league games so far is of no improvement on a worst-ever Premier League finish last term, and should he continue to slip up – as occurred during 3-0 embarrassments at the hands of Liverpool and Tottenham – then one of his many touted replacements could receive the call.
Former Red Devil Parker attributes many of these tribulations to the Dutchman’s lack of backbone when dealing with his cohort of players. He believes that if he doesn’t assert his authority, Ten Hag can kiss his job goodbye.
Former full-back Parker, who played nearly 150 times for United after prominent spells with Fulham and Queens Park Rangers, initially praised the Dutchman’s winning of silverware at Old Trafford.
“Erik ten Hag has won trophies, which is what Man United is about,” Parker told mybettingsites.co.uk. “Of course, the fans want a big trophy as well, and a club of that stature should win one, to be honest.”
Since arriving from his native Netherlands, Ten Hag tasted debut season success in the 2022/23 League Cup final against Newcastle – the club's first trophy since 2017.
An FA Cup final followed that year, and though their metropolitan rivals Manchester City bested them then, last season, United reversed the result and claimed an unlikely second trophy of the Dutchman's tenure – one that essentially saved his job and all but granted him a one-year extension.
Yet, with Ten Hag’s steeliness lacking, Parker continued, stating that if the 54-year-old continues to be walked all over, the murmurs from the dressing room will grow louder, and he could be faced with a disjointed, disobedient squad and subsequent unemployment.
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“On the other hand, I don't think he has been strong enough with players who don't deserve to play,” Parker added. “He thinks it’s the right decision to keep people happy because it's easier to go with what the majority would like. But now he has to be a bit tougher.
“He knows now that people talk behind his back, and players will always look after themselves first and foremost. He is not going to win that battle, and Man United is different from Ajax.”
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