Erik ten Hag has yet to even take charge of a game as Manchester United boss and some pundits are already beginning to question his credentials. The Dutch manager won three Eredivisie titles during his time with Ajax and also reached a Champions League semi-final in 2019.
However, ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy is unconvinced. While speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “What Ten Hag has done, of course it is credible winning the league three times with Ajax and he did alright with Utrecht. He’s not managed big players at a big club, so we don’t know how he’s going to deal with that pressure.
“Every part of his life will be magnified, whether that will be the wrong shop at the wrong time, or drives the wrong car. Everything he does is now going to be talked about.”
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Claiming that Ten Hag is out of his depth before a ball has even been kicked was enough to anger plenty of United fans. However, the man Murphy suggested the club should have appointed instead of Ten Hag caused even more outrage.
Ahead of England's game with Germany on Tuesday night, Murphy was asked who United would have been better off appointing out of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate and Ten Hag. He replied: “Gareth and Steve [Holland].
“I know them. I think they’ve come a long way, the pair of them, and have a great partnership. What they’ve achieved with England, managing big players. Gareth has evolved into a very intelligent football manager.
“With Steve by his side, they would do a great job at a big club. What United need now isn’t all about on the pitch. They will be judged on that, but initially what do United need? They need someone to bring together this squad and try and create a unity, atmosphere and energy that England have. I think that would be fair."
Southgate has managed to lead England to the final of a major tournament, but a lot of fans are still unconvinced by his tactics. And this, of course, has led to many United fans calling Murphy out for his comments.
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