Manchester United’s early season struggles have already led to conversations surrounding the future of coach Eric ten Hag. Out of the ten fixtures played in all competitions this season, United have lost six. With two of those defeats coming in the Champions League. Is it too early to start discussions on whether ten Hag is the man for the job? We spoke to former United defender Paul Parker to get his thoughts on where United continue to go wrong.
Erik Ten Hag To Be Sacked?
Following on from the success of last season you would be forgiven for assuming that Manchester United were on the up. Carabao Cup glory alongside a top four finish and a return to Champions League football led United fans to believe the good times could be on the return. However, it’s been a slow start to the season. Six losses out of the ten played fixtures have put ten Hag under massive amounts of pressure. However, Parker doesn’t believe sacking ten Hag will solve the issues at the club.
“It doesn’t make any sense at all to sack Erik ten Hag. I can see that people are talking about sacking him but those people might not remember what it has been like the past many years.
“It might be sunshine but then the typical Manchester weather comes in and it’s a rainstorm. That’s how it’s like with the club as well.
“That club is a total mess, also off the field. At Old Trafford we can see that the roof is leaking, the toilets are flooding and there are always problems with the tickets as well.
“I think a lot of players are using some of this as an excuse. How can Man United improve from here? Well, new owners would be a great start but on the field the club needs better players.”
Ten Hag is priced at 7/2 on Sky Bet to be the next Premier League manager to be leave or be sacked from his role in charge. Be sure to use the Sky Bet promo code when signing up with this popular betting site, as they have a great sign-up offer for new customers.
Below, you’ll find the rest of the odds for the main contenders to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked.
- Paul Heckingbottom @ 4/5
- Andoni Iraola @ 13/2
- Sean Dyche @ 7/1
- Gary O’Neil @ 12/1
Odds displayed are correct as of 4:55 pm, Thursday 5th October 2023. Odds are subject to change.
‘The Players At Man United Are Selfish’
In typical Paul Parker fashion, he has a lot to say about the current playing staff at the club. He believes that the players are letting down ten Hag with their apparent selfish tendencies. He goes on to highlight players such as Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho who he claims offers no positivity on the ball.
“The players at Man United right now are selfish and Erik ten Hag needs to get some players that suit him, also personality wise.
“There is also a tactical aspect of this. Man United have always had wide players that contributed with something but that’s not the case right now.
“He needs to come away from playing with wide players. The wide players are not adding anything to the party. It’s like when you’re going to a party, and you’re of course bringing booze with you but the other people are bringing carrots and cabbages.
“There is no positivity from Rashford, Antony, Sancho or the other wide players. The team depends on the young lads who are still learning.”
Parker Makes Jadon Sancho Claim
Meanwhile, another week has passed and both Jadon Sancho and ten Hag have been unable to resolve their off the field dispute. Since ten Hag came out in the media to criticise Jadon Sancho’s efforts in training in the build up to the Arsenal game, the pair have been at loggerheads. Parker is firm in his belief that Dortmund wanted Sancho gone and United are now stuck with the 22 year-old.
“Jadon Sancho. Where should I start? No one wants him. Unfortunately, Man United seems to be stuck with him.
“The truth is that everyone at his previous clubs have wanted him out. Manchester City wanted him out. Pep Guardiola didn’t want him.
“Dortmund wanted him out as well and they couldn’t believe that Man United, the team that keeps giving, offered them so much money for a player that was causing them so much trouble.
“There is no difference here from when they let Aubameyang go. They didn’t want him in the dressing room and it was the same with Sancho.”
Sancho Wants To Be A Footballer Without Working Hard
Application is something that Sancho has previously been accused of lacking during his time at his former clubs. Sancho has shown how capable he is before joining United and it would be a shame to see such a talent go to waste. Interestingly, Sancho’s stint at Dortmund failed to impress Parker despite 50 goals and made 64 assists in 137 games.
“On the pitch he doesn’t have an end product but because he scored a few goals the media pumped him up and he got into the England squad. Erik ten Hag even gave him some time off but when he came back it was the same.
“When things don’t go his way he wants to blame the manager. He doesn’t do his job properly. Sancho has taken everything personally even though everything is his own fault because he doesn’t want to work hard.
“Erik ten Hag has never shamed the player in public even though it would have been justified. He was asked a question and he answered it as it was. He could have said more but he didn’t because he is a good manager.
“He wants to be a footballer without giving the most important thing back, which is the willingness to work hard.”
