Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is all geared to lead his team out at Aston Villa this weekend in what is again another pivotal clash in his tenure.
Former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren has opted to speak up on behalf of his boss and has insisted that the Dutchman will be sticking to the process despite his position at Old Trafford again coming under serious threat.
3-0 defeat at home over the past weekend to Tottenham Hotspur to led to serious questions being asked about the future of the beleaguered United manager. MEN Sport reported on Monday that Ten Hag would not be sacked before the Aston Villa game but his position beyond that is less certain.
Thursday night’s 3-3 draw with Porto saw more concerns arising for the United gaffer as they crumbled in Portugal and were fortunate to rescue a point thanks to former captain Harry Maguire’s late header despite leading 2-0 after 20 minutes. Now head coach of the Jamaica national team, Steve McClaren was quizzed by Sky Sports for his thoughts on Ten Hag’s position.
The former England manager said he sees no reasons why Ten Hag would be worried about his job now after having experienced several low points since arriving at the club. “Every day at Manchester United you are under pressure,” McClaren explained.
“I have lived that for two years with him and on many, many occasions after Brighton and Brentford calling for his head after two games and then beating Liverpool 3-0. I remember last season, Crystal Palace 4-0, it could have been 8-0 and thinking that this is the end but winning the next four games culminating in a cup final against Manchester City and winning the cup.
“Erik is that kind of person who has the qualities to stick to the process. I was there at the beginning of the season when all this was going on – the recruitment, the thing with Ineos bringing in different coaches and I remember leaving there and the atmosphere was great.
“The atmosphere was great and the players they were recruiting were very good and the squad was building and developing. I thought they were bringing in good coaches with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake and I thought there was a really good positive atmosphere and I think the season started like that and then they have stuttered but that is what happens in football, it happens at big clubs and Erik has proved over the last two years that we have been through this many times.
“Many times we used to sit in that canteen at breakfast with a cup of tea with crisis after crisis but somehow continuing to do the work, continuing the process and coming out with a win at a vital time.”