Gary Neville has criticized Manchester United’s summer recruitment policy for its role in the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag, but says the Red Devils should not sign anyone in January.
With Ten Hag sacked just two and a half years into his tenure at the club, pundits are speculating on the various reasons behind the Dutchman’s downfall, the least of which is his poor position in the Premier League by his standards, this season.
Former United defender Neville said he “saw (Ten Hag’s) sacking coming” after a terrible run of results in the league, but has specifically pointed to the players’ performance on the pitch as a major contributing factor to why who lost his job. .
Neville also believes whoever is appointed as United’s next manager should work with the team’s players, rather than making a flurry of new signings in January, and has urged interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy to try a different tactical approach.
“The challenges of the performances, the owners have decided to sack Ten Hag, I don’t think anyone will be surprised,” Neville said. Sky Sports News.
Gary Neville shared his reaction to the sacking of Man United manager Erik ten Hag (pictured)
Former United defender Neville harshly criticized the club and Ten Hag’s recruitment policy
“There will be those who will say that they have been proven right, the fans wanted to continue with Ten Hag, give him the opportunity to succeed under a new structure.
‘The expense that has occurred. He hoped that everything would end differently, that the faith shown in him would bear fruit, but that is not the case.
‘I think the lack of identity and style has been a mystery, the hiring has been poor. It has been horrible at times. I think there is a group of players who can play better than them.
‘The surprise has been how bad the new signings have been at achieving good performance and a certain stability. 14? “It’s unacceptable.”
Since ten Hag joined United in 2022, the club has spent more than £600 million bringing in new talent. Key signings include Lisandro Martínez, Rasmus Højlund, Antony, Andre Onana and Mason Mount, but very few have impressed within the various systems they have. employee.
“No one looks at United and doesn’t believe the players are better than what they are showing. “They are better than 14th and probably better than sixth.
United executives are now searching for a new manager with Red Devils legend Ruud van Nistelrooy taking charge of the first team on an interim basis. Neville said he will have a task on his hands, as will Ten Hag’s successor, with the current team he has.
“United have been in this position many times, you start to question every player on the pitch. “If a manager can come in and start getting a song out of them, you can start to decide who to keep.
But Neville believes the existing team should be prepared to make things work. “I wouldn’t change anything in the January transfer window,” Neville said. “The new coach should work with these players.”
Intermin chief Ruud van Nistelrooy urged to try new tactical approach
Neville believes a new tactical approach could be key to United finding new form in the meantime, and that deploying a three-man defense could provide more solidity within the team.
Asked if Van Nistelrooy can rework the team’s identity in the meantime, Neville replied: “I mean, it will be almost impossible for him to do it in the next few days, won’t it?”
“Ruud van Nistelrooy will do his best. For several months I have thought that, looking at the players United have, they might be better suited to playing with a back three.” Simply due to the lack of a centre-back pairing and the full-backs, to be fair, look better in attack than in defence.
“So maybe that could happen, maybe that could give them a little bit more comfort because it would give them an extra body at the back but also put the players in a system where they would have more support.”
Neville added: “That’s something I’ve thought about for a few months, but I’m not sure if Ruud does that and if it’s the right way to go.”
“Ultimately at this point we will see something against Leicester on Wednesday night if he believed in what Erik was doing because he would choose a different team if he didn’t.
Erik ten Hag has won two important national titles during his stay at Old Trafford
A statement from the club said: “We thank Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and we wish him the best for the future.”
Former Ten Hag assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach alongside the current coaching team while United’s management decide their next move.
Erik ten Hag joined Man United from Ajax in April 2022. He previously managed Utrecht and Bayern Munich II.
In his first season in charge, ten Hag guided United to their first trophy in six years, the Carabao Cup. Last season (next season) was disappointing by United’s standards, but they still managed to take the club to the FA Cup final and beat their fierce local rivals Manchester City.