October 30th 2024.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has recently spoken out about the club's former manager, Erik ten Hag, accusing him of making two of the worst signings in Manchester United's history. The team is currently in talks with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim after finally deciding to sack Ten Hag earlier this week.
Neville commends the Manchester United board for their patience with Ten Hag, but believes it may have been misguided. Despite the team's poor performance and their lowest-ever Premier League finish last season, Ten Hag was given a contract extension after their surprising FA Cup final win against Manchester City. However, he was ultimately dismissed less than four months later with the team sitting at 14th in the Premier League and 21st out of 36 teams in the Europa League.
While Ten Hag will be remembered for lifting two trophies and giving the fans a special win over Man City at Wembley, Neville also points out that he will also be remembered for overseeing two of the worst transfers in Manchester United's history - Antony and Casemiro. The team spent over £80m to sign Antony from Ajax in the summer of 2022, but he has yet to start a Premier League game this season and finds himself on the periphery at Old Trafford. Similarly, Casemiro, who arrived in the same window with an impressive resume from Real Madrid, has also struggled in the Premier League and was urged to leave by pundits over the summer.
Neville reflects on Ten Hag's legacy, stating that it will definitely include winning those two trophies and the memorable Manchester derby in the FA Cup final. However, he hopes that in five years' time, the team won't still be looking back at Ten Hag's signings as a hindrance. He also highlights the poor performances and results under Ten Hag this season and acknowledges that he can't complain about his dismissal.
The former United defender also brings attention to the club's poor recruitment over the past ten years, with Ten Hag being a victim of it himself. He specifically points out the panic signings of Antony and Casemiro after losing to Brentford and Brighton. Neville hopes that he is wrong and that both players can prove themselves in the future, but believes their signings are the reason why the team had to go back into the transfer market and sign players like Manuel Ugarte.
As for Ten Hag's sacking, his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy admits to having mixed emotions. He expresses gratitude towards Ten Hag for giving him the opportunity to return to Manchester United and is saddened by his departure. Van Nistelrooy also adds that it is an honor to manage the club he loves, even on an interim basis. He promises to give his all in turning the team's fortunes around and believes that when everyone - players, staff, and supporters - pull together, Manchester United can be unstoppable.
In the end, Neville hopes that the club gets it right with their next appointment and that the team can work together to turn their season around. He also encourages fans to sign up for Manchester United news, exclusives, and analysis, while also reminding them of the site's privacy policy.
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