“No playing style, club culture or philosophy”: Ex-Man United coach rips into Erik ten Hag after devastating loss vs. Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Former Manchester United coach René Meulensteen has laid into Erik ten Hag as criticism and pressure directed towards the current club boss intensifies

United were thoroughly beaten by Crystal Palace in a 4-0 hammering at Selhurst Park on Monday, to pile further misery on Ten Hag, whose job at Old Trafford was already hanging in the balance.

A brace from Michael Olise and a goal in either half from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell were enough to sink United and cause further turmoil within the ranks.

The result left the Red Devils in eighth position in the Premier League with a minus-three goal difference. The club has three top-flight games left to play before the season officially comes to an end. As it stands, United are on track to achieve the worst-ever Premier League finish in their rich and illustrious history.

Michael Owen brutally called for Ten Hag to be sacked while club legend Paul Scholes also insisted that the 54-year-old coach is almost certainly facing the end of his managerial tenure at United.

Meulensteen, who served under Sir Alex Ferguson from 2007 to 2013, has added his voice to the increasing critique of Ten Hag, questioning how United have landed in their present predicament.

He told NOS, “It is really incomprehensible what is happening now. There is simply no progress whatsoever.”

“You know, as a new trainer you always have to deal with a selection that you have not put together yourself. So, it takes a few transfer periods before you get the players you want. I always say: a trainer needs eighteen months to get it right. to get on track.”

“But now there is none of that optimism left. There is no playing style, club culture or philosophy. If you look at the statistics… it doesn’t make any sense. Manchester United has a goal difference of minus three!”

On Ten Hag banning some media outlets and journalists from asking questions in press conferences as a retaliation measure, Meulensteen insisted, “That is really not smart. The media of course have the right to ask questions. They also see what kind of results are on the board, such as the 4-0 against Crystal Palace. Then it is logical that they ask critical questions.”

He added, “There are now just too many players who are either too old or not good enough. Or boys who have the wrong attitude.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Ten Hag and his players. Up next is Arsenal at Old Trafford before Newcastle right after and then Brighton on the final day of the season. There is then the small matter of an FA Cup final against Manchester City later this month at Wembley.

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