Under pressure Erik ten Hag has been slammed by former Manchester United star Patrice Evra for being "fooled" by his floundering players.
Ten Hag is still yet to win since taking over as Red Devils boss, even being smashed by Brentford last week. United take on Liverpool on Monday night in what looks likely to be an ominous clash for Ten Hag's side.
Evra though believes that the problems Ten Hag is suffering are all of his own making, having failed to learn from Ralf Rangnick's disastrous interim spell in charge. The Frenchman slammed the United boss for believing that the current crop of players are good enough.
"We blame the board, the manager, and many people. But what about the players? I always have so much respect for the players but now I think it's time for them to take some responsibility. I also blame Ten Hag, he's been fooled by all those players, the same way other managers have been fooled by them," Evra told Betfair.
"In pre-season they looked so good, and he would have been excited to make them even better, but no. Psychologically they are broken. Every time they face a difficult challenge, those players won't overcome it.
"It's been like this for years and it's the same thing, it doesn't even hurt anymore, it's Deja Vu. People aren't blaming Ten Hag, but I'm sorry, he came in like 'I can do it', and he can't until those players leave. We have to rebuild everything and with those players we won't go anywhere.
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"I'm sad because I never like to criticise the players, and when I see them I say 'hi' with a smile and they love and respect me. But now, I'm hurt so bad I have to tell the truth to them face to face."
Evra also turned his ire towards the players who fell to a humiliating defeat at Brentford last week. And the former United star believes that the loss signals deeper problems within the dressing room at Old Trafford.
"The manner of the defeat against Brentford tells you that this team is traumatised. I'm not surprised by the result, you can see the body language. I don't ask those players to play amazing every game, but to fight. If they don't fight anymore it's because those players don't want to be there and they don't respect the badge," he added.
"Let's be clear. Brentford were 4-0 up after 35 minutes. When I saw that I wasn't surprised, and that's the worst part. What did we expect after seeing the same midfield, the same team, what does anyone expect? I don't know if Ten Hag wanted different players.
"Ten Hag has come from the Dutch league, he wants to play from the back. You can't do that with the players he has. Ten Hag is also responsible for what is going on, he's had the transfer market, the only thing I will say is that he has been fooled the same way other managers have been fooled. The results against Brentford and Brighton I wasn't surprised about.
"It's difficult, I always say to people it's not one man that can change Manchester United. There was a lot of hope before the start of the season. Ten Hag needs to adapt and realise that the Premier League is different, physically you need to be ready. I'm still giving him time, it's too soon to say someone isn't up for the job. From my experience and what I've seen in the past, it doesn't look good for him."
