Alan Shearer challenges Erik ten Hag during spiky post-FA Cup interview as Manchester United boss remains tight-lipped on future
05/25/2024 12:36 PM
Erik ten Hag slammed criticism aimed at him and Manchester United as ‘not right’ following his side’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City.
The Dutchman has now won silverware in each of his two seasons with the Red Devils – but could still be sacked following a dismal Premier League season.
talkSPORT reported prior to Saturday’s clash at Wembley that victory in the FA Cup isn’t guaranteed to keep the 54-year-old in a job.
And during a spiky post-match interview with BBC Sport, Ten Hag was challenged by Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
Ten Hag, who hit out at the ‘crap’ English press prior to United’s 2-1 victory at the Home of Football, was asked by Lineker whether he feels criticism of his team from the media has been unfair.
To which he said: “I think so. The team. Me as well. It was not right.”
Shearer then chimed in where he defended pundits’ harsh views on United, saying: “You had a team out there today who showed a great attitude and great ability and won every single tackle.
“That hasn’t always been the case this season though, has it? So you can understand why we do criticise sometimes.
“If you would have had that every single week, then you wouldn’t have finished in eighth, because today was unbelievable.”
It led to a snappy response from the ex-Ajax boss, who stated: “No, but we didn't have the players.
“And you are right, we have seen the same things, it was not always good football – definitely not.
“But we had to make compromises all the time and then you can't play the football you want to play.
“I’m now here two years, and we had maybe three or times having the full squad available.
“Also today, we were missing massive players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro.”
The mystery surrounding Ten Hag’s future was then next up on agenda, but he refused to shed any light on his situation.
He stated: “I don't know. The only thing I'm doing is preparing my team, developing my team, progressing my team and individual players, because, this is for me a project.
“When I came in, I can say it was a mess. Now we are better. We are by far not where we want to be.
“Football is about winning trophies. I want to play the best football, dynamic, attacking football but in the end you have to win games and trophies.
“That's the mentality we brought in. This was our one opportunity and we did it. I'm very proud of the players and staff.”
Ten Hag was serenaded by jubilant United fans in the stands, where he paraded the trophy on his own by the advertising hoardings.
