ERIK TEN HAG turned on the haters demanding his head, claiming they do not know a thing about football.
Ten Hag is on the brink of the sack with Manchester United a huge 31 POINTS behind leaders Manchester City.
Monday’s 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace was a new low but Ten Hag said: “I think the fans have the patience — you saw that on Monday – but then I see some comments that they don’t.
“Either they don’t have any knowledge of football, they don’t have any knowledge about managing a football team or they just aren’t up to it.
“But I do think there are also many people who see the problems and they are patient.”
Ten Hag, 54, may have guided United to a second successive FA Cup final but the Premier League form has been a disaster.
United go into today’s Old Trafford clash with Arsenal as 13-2 outsiders – the biggest price they have ever been for a Prem game on their own patch.
There is no doubt United have battled a horrendous injury list, which has seen 25 players sidelined at various stages.
Even so, Ten Hag’s second season is in tatters and few expect him to be at Old Trafford for a third.
He has had no public backing from new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter and even Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna have been tipped to take over.
But Mikel Arteta thinks Ratcliffe should hold fire because the Gunners chief is proof of what can happen when a manager is given time.
After two eighth-placed finishes, many Arsenal fans wanted boss Arteta sacked — but the club’s top brass stood firm.
Last year that faith was rewarded when the Gunners were runners-up and they still have high hopes of going one better this time.
Arteta insists he is proof of what can be achieved with patience — and thinks Ten Hag deserves similar backing.
The Spaniard, 42, said: “I can only talk about what I think about him as a coach, and he is excellent. I have admired his teams — both Ajax and United.
“I know what he’s trying to do, I know how he does it and I know how difficult it is to prepare against his sides, so I have huge respect for him.
“So, hopefully, he gets the time because we are colleagues and know how difficult it is in this league and what the margins are.”
