Paul Scholes shares theory on Erik ten Hag future as icon moans Man Utd ‘million miles away from challenging every year’
PAUL SCHOLES has given a brutal verdict on Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United under the new INEOS ownership.
The Red Devils fell to a dismal 3-1 defeat against rivals Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon.
Sir Dave Brailsford, who is INEOS’ director of sport, watched on in the stands after Marcus Rashford‘s first-half strike was cancelled out by two goals from Phil Foden and another from Erling Haaland.
While the start of the game looked very promising for Ten Hag’s men, it was clear his squad had no depth or posed no threat to City with just one shot on target the whole match.
After full-time United legend Scholes was not impressed and said the team was “nowhere near good enough to be competing”.
He told Optus Sport: “What we’re seeing is a million miles away from a team that should be challenging for the league.
“Every single season it’s just so far away.”
“I think they [INEOS] have already made their mind up. I don’t think he will be there next season. No.
“From the interviews we’ve heard with Sir Jim, I thought there was a little bit of negativity towards the club the last 10 or 11 years and especially the last two years. I don’t think he’s happy with what’s going on.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re looking for a new manager now. I’m not saying it’s the right decision.”
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The Dutch boss had a great start at the club and ended United’s trophy drought of six years with the Carabao Cup – but not much more has happened since.
And Scholes who spent nearly two decades at Old Trafford said he feels “a little bit sorry” for Ten Hag.
He continued: “With new owners anyway they always tend to change the manager and especially with the way they’re playing.
“Where there are in the league and what it’s been like in the last couple of seasons, I just think they’ll make a change.”
Scholes’ former England teammate Michael Owen also chipped in on his thoughts about Ten Hag’s future.
Owen said: “I think they should make a change. Scholesy thinks they will make a change but doesn’t know if they should – I think they should.
“It’s not all the manager’s fault but his signings have been pretty average. I still watch Manchester United and I have no idea what they want to do at all.
“That has to come from the top, from the manager, having a certain way of playing, even if you have to go through a period of pain.
“Manchester United have had a lot of pain, they can probably take a little bit more to have a direction but I don’t see what that direction is.”