Man United managerial candidates ‘have reservations over succeeding Erik ten Hag because of intense criticism from former players in the media’

Potential Manchester United candidates are being put off from replacing Erik ten Hag by the strong opinions of former players working in punditry, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag has had to navigate his way through swathes of criticism from ex-United players during his chaotic two seasons in charge that could soon be brought to its end.

A 4-0 thrashing against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday thrust Ten Hag’s future into even more doubt as INEOS and United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe weighs up whether to sack the Dutchman.

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane have been sounded out as potential replacements for Ten Hag, but the impact of comments from former players is causing concern amongst some candidates, as reported by The Telegraph.

The progression from playing to punditry is a path that is often tread by former stars of the modern game, with United’s cohort of legends popping up in increasing roles across broadcasters and YouTube channels.

Old Trafford legend Gary Neville has been highly-critical of United’s performances this season and is constantly in the headlines for his comments on the goings on at the 13-time Premier League champions.

Rio Ferdinand is another of the club’s iconic players that has passed judgement in the years following his departure and even runs his own YouTube channel that largely focuses on problems at United.

Premier League legend Paul Scholes regularly hits out at United’ failures and called for Ten Hag to be sacked after the club’s dismal showing against Crystal Palace, while Michael Owen insisted the Dutchman should leave before the end of the season. Owen Hargreaves is also a former United star who is now a television regular.

Two candidates who have been mentioned in the frame for replacing Ten Hag are believed to hold concerns over the negative media focus on the managerial hotseat at Old Trafford.

The 54-year-old United boss still has a year remaining on his existing deal and has tried to show an authority of confidence during his side’s torrid recent performances.

Ten Hag recently fumed former players were ‘forgetful’ and insisted the likes of Ferdinand and Neville also endured times of underperforming during Sir Alex Ferguson’s glorious reign.

Speaking at the end of April, he said: ‘People forget that the Man United team of 2004-05, they also didn’t play that great football (while Ferguson was building a new team around Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo). 

‘They were building and it took time but everyone forgets, even the players who were in the team.’