Manchester United legend insists Erik ten Hag should stay after 'unfair' scrutiny

05/25/2024 10:05 AM

Criticism of Erik ten Hag this season has been 'unfair' and he has proven he deserves more time as Manchester United manager.

That's the view of double-winning United captain Steve Bruce, who wants the Dutchman to keep his job.

Ten Hag has taken the Red Devils to a second successive FA Cup final, but build-up to Saturday's showdown with Man City – which is LIVE on talkSPORT – has been overshadowed by rumours over the manager's future.

It has been claimed Man United chiefs have already decided to relieve Ten Hag of his duties after the match, regardless of the outcome.

Ten Hag has said differently, insisting in a fiery interview after a week of speculation that he has been given assurances United's new-look hierarchy are planning their top-to-bottom rebuild with him in the dugout.

There have been plenty of 'Ten Hag out' calls, including from talkSPORT pundits Simon Jordan and Martin Keown who both believe the FA Cup final will be the former Ajax coach's final game in charge of the Red Devils.

But Bruce feels his achievements in two seasons at Old Trafford show that he deserves more time to get it right.

"I hope Ten Hag stays, I really, really do," Bruce told talkSPORT live from BOXPARK Wembley ahead of Saturday's final.

"But when you read all the stuff in the newspapers I do fear for him, because it's not just coming from nothing. There are a lot of rumours and speculation going around.

"I hope it's not another Louis van Gaal [sacked just days after lifting the FA Cup in 2016]. I personally think the manager has done a very, very decent job and I hope he's part of the overhaul that seems to be going on at Manchester United.

"The club has had five or six managers over the last ten years. Apart from Chelsea back in the days of the Abramovich era, it's been proven that it doesn't work to chop and change all the time, to change philosophies and the way the team plays."

Bruce has sympathy for Ten Hag, having been in his situation as a coach under pressure before.

And he insists criticism of the Dutchman this season is 'unfair' given what he's had to contend with on and off the pitch in what has been a tough sophomore campaign as Manchester United manager

"For me this year it's been a bit unfair on him because they've been racked with injuries defensively," said the ex-United defender.

"I know people will be out there saying they should be able to cope, but the amount they've had, 14 different central defensive partnerships tells its own story.

"He got to the FA Cup final last year, he's got to a second one this year, he's won a League Cup final and he got the team to the Champions League.

"I don't want to see any manager under pressure, and I have to say the way he's handled it has been commendable – it can't be easy every day seeing everybody is up for your job, all week in every newspaper article, every TV programme, the whole thing."

Bruce says club bosses should move quickly after Saturday's final to clarify Ten Hag's future after a week of heavy speculation.

"The quicker the club put it all to bed, the better," he added.

"But there's been a big change at the club, so much so that some of the people hired haven't even started work yet – you've got to give them time."

Man City vs Man United in the FA Cup final is live on talkSPORT on Saturday 25 May from 3pm.