Former Manchester United striker, Michael Owen, has delivered a scathing critique of manager Erik ten Hag, urging the club to part ways with the Dutchman following their devastating defeat at Selhurst Park.
In what has been described as United's worst performance of the season, they succumbed to a humiliating loss against Crystal Palace, with Michael Olise stealing the spotlight for the Eagles. Goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell compounded United's woes, leaving Ten Hag's side reeling from yet another setback.
The defeat has left Manchester United languishing in eighth place in the Premier League standings, on course for their lowest-ever finish in the competition. Owen, a vocal critic of Ten Hag's management style, believes that decisive action is needed to arrest the club's downward spiral.
In a blistering assessment of Ten Hag's suitability for the job, Owen has called on the club's owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, to usher in a new era by appointing a new manager ahead of the next season. He contends that Ten Hag's inability to galvanize the team and devise effective tactics warrants a change in leadership.
Speaking on Premier League Production, Owen expressed grave concerns about Manchester United's prospects under Ten Hag's stewardship, predicting further humiliation in upcoming fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal.
"I have said it for a long time that Ten Hag is not the right man for this job; I have been saying it for ages," Owen asserted. "He cannot, simply cannot, manage the team next season.
"I almost wonder now, they’ve got a cup final and they’ve got a few important games that could mean European football next year or not. At some point, you’ve got to make a decision. They are going to get absolutely hammered by Manchester City [in the FA Cup final], they’re going to get annihilated. In fact, Arsenal will smash them to bits at Old Trafford."
Owen's remarks underscore the growing discontent among Manchester United supporters and pundits alike, who have grown frustrated with the team's lackluster performances under Ten Hag's tenure. With crucial fixtures on the horizon, including the FA Cup final against Manchester City and the battle for European football qualification, the pressure on Ten Hag has reached fever pitch.
As speculation swirls regarding Ten Hag's future at the club, Manchester United's hierarchy finds itself at a crossroads, facing a pivotal decision that could shape the team's trajectory for years to come. Whether they opt to heed Owen's impassioned plea for change or maintain faith in Ten Hag's vision remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the fallout from United's latest defeat has intensified scrutiny on Ten Hag's leadership and raised serious questions about his ability to guide the club back to its former glory.
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