Liverpool legend John Barnes has leapt to the defence of Erik ten Hag, saying Manchester United’s poor season is down to fans and players not backing the Red Devils boss.
The Red Devils were dumped out of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup before Christmas, and things haven’t been better in the Premier League, with United languishing in seventh. Hopes of European football at Old Trafford next season are fading with each passing match week.
Manager Ten Hag is under mounting pressure and Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Coventry City presents the club’s last chance at silverware this season. A shock defeat by the Championship side could spell the end of the Dutchman’s United reign, but Barnes has made clear the manager isn’t the only one to blame.
INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has assumed control over United’s football operations after purchasing a 25 per cent stake in the club just before Christmas. The British billionaire is believed to be mulling over whether to keep Ten Hag on for another campaign.
Barnes has made his feelings on the situation clear, telling Genting Casino: “I have no idea what Jim Ratcliffe is going to do, but he should stick with ten Hag. I think that Erik ten Hag is a very good manager. Which manager is going to be better than Erik ten Hag to take Manchester United forward?”
The ex-Reds forward continued by taking aim at United’s players and fans. Barnes made clear Ten Hag deserves significantly more respect than he is currently getting from those around him at Old Trafford.
“Until the fans and the players start to respect who their manager is, then nothing is going to improve. The players need to take some responsibility for Manchester United’s performances,” he added.
“I would never accuse a player of not trying or not trying to do their absolute best, but the question is, if Manchester United lose, who are the fans gong to boo? As long as the answer is the manager, then the players will absolve themselves of any responsibility subconsciously.
“I don’t think that any player enters the field with the intention of not giving his best, but you know as a player that when things are going against you, you have to run harder, you have to win your duels, you have to try harder, and that is what you do.”
United are 13 points adrift of the much-coveted fourth-placed Champions League qualification spot. Stern tests await the Red Devils, with games against Arsenal and Newcastle still to come before the end of the season.
