Erik ten Hag has taken aim at the fickle nature of football pundits in England and suggested Manchester United are ‘easy prey’.
Ten Hag has come under fierce criticism during his second season in charge of the club, after the Red Devils ended the season eighth in the table, their lowest league finish of the Premier League era.
United also suffered a disappointing Champions League exit at the group stage and lost a club record 13 games during the Premier League this season.
Ten Hag’s position beyond this season appears unclear with speculation suggesting change is imminent, ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup final with Manchester City.
The Dutchman has hit back at his critics in the media and said the same names claimed he could ‘walk on water’ last season.
“The pundits in England want to score, they want to show they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United is an easy prey,” he told Voetbal International.
“It’s the biggest club in England and possibly in the world. The club is either loved or hated, there is no in-between.
“So when things go bad, they all start talking and talking with very big words. All this negativism from these so called experts who don’t have the capability to analyse something with facts, but who prefer to attack people to make themselves look better.
“And these same people were the ones who gave me a pat on the back last year…
“Last year I was able to walk on water, this year I am the worst manager in the Premier League!
“Manchester United won the league for the last time in 2013, 11 years ago. But still they expect us to win every game while competing at the top. This club is not ready for that.
“We were supposed to start building something and we made the first steps last year, but then you find out how big this club is and that nobody is ever satisfied.
“Within the club people were satisfied, but outside the club there was noise by saying I won only the Carabao Cup, lost the FA Cup Final and ended third.
“Well, then you have no sense of reality. Other clubs had a much better squad.”
Ten Hag dismissed the rumours suggesting he could be sacked at the end of the campaign and said new investors owners are planning for the future with him.
“INEOS will change things in the club and certain projects have already started.
“Carrington will get be completely destroyed, a new training ground will come.
“INEOS told me that they want to change everything and that they want to rebuild with me.
“This is what they told me directly.”
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