Erik ten Hag snipes back at ex-Man Utd coach Benni McCarthy after being accused of ‘lacking passion’

Ten Hag responded to comments made by McCarthy, who left his role at Old Trafford at the end of last season in a coaching reshuffle, claiming that the Dutchman doesn’t have the passion to be a success at a club like United.

• Getty Images Sport

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  McCarthy had told Zero Zero, a publication in Portugal: “He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I. I think that was one of the difficulties that the team and the players encountered.” The retired South African striker also accused his former boss of “wasting” Cristiano Ronaldo.

  • WHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID

    Ten Hag told TNT Sports when McCarthy’s comments were raised: “I don’t know what he means. When you win trophies, you can’t do this without passion and desire.”

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    In addition to Carabao Cup and FA Cup successes across his first two seasons with Manchester United, Ten Hag won three Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups with Ajax, who haven’t collected a single trophy since he left in 2022.

    • Getty Images Sport

      WHAT NEXT?

      Off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham and a 3-3 draw against Porto, things aren’t any easier for Ten Hag as his United team now face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. Defeat at Villa Park would pile on even more pressure.