“That’s where we differ” - Ex-Manchester United coach highlights quality Erik ten Hag ‘lacks’ amid poor run
Former Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy has identified manager Erik ten Hag's limitations amid the club's poor run of form. The Red Devils have failed to win any of their last three games, raising questions about whether the manager is fit for the job.
McCarthy joined the Red Devils at the start of the 2022-23 season as part of Ten Hag's backroom staff, but left the club this summer. The former Blackburn Rovers striker was one of those axed as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group effected some changes in the club's backroom staff.
McCarthy witnessed Erik ten Hag's spell as manager from the inside, and spoke with Football 365 about the manager's limitations. He pointed out that while the former Ajax manager remains one of the best tacticians, his body language does not always portray a willingness to fight.
“In modern football, I believe that players want to see a bit more passion in their coach. They need to feel that the coach is with them and willing to fight alongside them," McCarthy said.
“Tactically, I feel that Erik is at the top. He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I," he added.
Since his arrival in England in 2022, Erik ten Hag has led Manchester United to win both domestic cups, ending a spell of six years without a trophy. The Dutch manager has, however, seen his side struggle in the league, finishing eighth in the 2023-24 season.
Manchester United appointed former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to replace McCarthy in the summer as part of their overhaul. The club legend was in the dugout as Tottenham Hotspur thrashed the Red Devils at Old Trafford by three unreplied goals on Sunday, September 29. Ten Hag is under enormous pressure and is the bookies' favorite to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season.
Former coach hails Manchester United duo for application in training
Former Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy has singled out the duo of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot for praise. The former South Africa international had a chat with Football 365 about his time with the Red Devils, and he mentioned the Portuguese players.
“If some of the Manchester United players had what Bruno (Fernandes) and Diogo (Dalot) have, it would have been easier to achieve good results," McCarthy said. "They both trained with incredible concentration, giving everything they had. Some of the others didn’t do the same."
“This ended up limiting United’s progress, because some players weren’t training to the best of their ability. Even in games, the data showed us that some players were at their peak performance and others a little below,” he added.
Dalot is presently filling in at left-back due to the absences of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia through injury. Fernandes, on the other hand, has started this season poorly but has already tallied 242 appearances for the club since arriving in January 2020. Both players remain among the first on the team sheet at the club, and McCarthy has provided an insight as to why.