Gary Neville feels Erik ten Hag is heading for the sack. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester United legend Gary Neville says ‘we know how this ends’ as the pressure builds on Erik ten Hag’s position.
Newcastle United inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Ten Hag’s side on Wednesday night, despite Eddie Howe picking a much-changed side at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were diabolical, mustering just two shots on target all night.
Ten Hag took responsibility for the defeat and the club’s form afterwards, saying that it’s his fault that United have lost eight games in 15 matches.
The Dutchman still has significant credit in the bank after an impressive debut season at Old Trafford but the pressure is mounting on him.
The Theatre of Dreams – a phrase coined by Sir Bobby Charlton – was half empty by full-time.
And Neville, who is laying the blame for the club’s position on the Glazer family, has suggested Ten Hag is heading for the sack because his tenure is following a similar pattern to Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
‘On my way up to the gantry last night I bumped into Dan Ashworth,’ said Neville.
‘He transformed the FA’s structure, set Brighton up for this incredible period of success and has now built a strong foundation for the new owners at Newcastle. He’s competent, highly qualified and knows what he’s doing. Will work with his coach , recruitment team and other departments coherently and calmly.
‘In the last two matches Manchester United have played two clubs that have installed proper football departments to support the team on the pitch and off it. The complete opposite of United. We haven’t got a sporting director! I used to travel up to Newcastle and feel sorry for their great fans when the energy and enthusiasm had been sapped from them under Mike Ashley. It was painful to see.
‘Last night we saw the Theatre of Dreams turn into the Theatre of Nothing. Every single United fan bored and flat . On the pitch the players in shock, the performances woeful and a manager struggling in front of our eyes. We’ve seen it before, we know how it ends and we’ve had enough.’
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