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WHAT HAPPENED?
Just three months after extending Ten Hag’s contract at Old Trafford, United have parted ways with the manager as the club’s struggles continue in the 2024-25 campaign. The news of the Dutch coach’s departure came a day after the club suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of struggling West Ham in the Premier League.
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Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
After Ten Hag’s exit from Old Trafford, former Arsenal and Chelsea star Petit has now questioned the role of Red Devils players in the club’s failure and pointed out captain Fernandes’ inability to lead the team from the front during the crisis period. The Frenchman, however, admitted that the lion’s share of the club’s misery was on the Dutchman and the they were right to sack him.
WHAT EMMANUEL PETIT SAID
Speaking to Jeffbet, the ex-France international said: “It was about time Erik ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United. I’m sorry to say that and I pity him because lots of the players at the club are far from their best. When I watched the game against West Ham, even I was frustrated for the Manchester United fans. They concede goals easily, they are a mess. Ten Hag had no support from the fans, the club or the players, but he is responsible for a lot of the issues. Players must share this responsibility, though, they are the reason he’s been sacked. Ten Hag is responsible for bringing in average Dutch players from the Eredivisie. Ten Hag showed no passion either, he always seemed bored in press conferences.
“The only consistent thing at Manchester United now is their average performance, which has been happening for years now. Even with a change of manager, nothing will change. The body language of the players has been awful. Bruno Fernandes annoys me a lot, I really just want to tell him to shut up. He was terrible on West Ham and he was a terrible captain, he’s not captain material. There needs to be a reaction from these players. If I’m a manager linked to Manchester United, a big club with lots of money, I’d look at that club and ask what is the project? What are the ambitions? I don’t see anything worth joining them for.”
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
Ruud van Nistelrooy will now step up to take charge of the team on an interim basis as the club prepare to face Leicester City in an EFL Cup round-of-16 clash on Wednesday, before taking on Chelsea in the Premier League next Sunday.
