Erik ten Hag sacked: NI Manchester United fans' chief hits out at 'shambolic' tenure

John White has supported Manchester United long enough to have enjoyed the stellar highs and endured the horrible lows that have followed the club down the years.

And right now it couldn't get much lower for the Belfast man.

John is founder of Carryduff Manchester United Supporters' Club, which was ranked the second biggest in the world in 2022.

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Since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013, the Old Trafford giants have brought in five managers who have failed to deliver.

Now the club is looking for a sixth manager since Fergie's halcyon days, with former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take caretaker charge until a permanent boss is selected.

Reflecting on Ten hag's departure, John said: "Are you shocked? Three wins in our opening nine Premier League games (two draws, four losses), 14th in the League. Eight goals scored, 11 conceded. No win in Europe in a calendar year.

"Losses at home last season to Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Fulham. We lost 7-0 to Liverpool under him.

"We are now looking for a sixth permanent manager in eleven years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired."

He added: "Ineos were probably going to sack Ten Hag before he won the 2024 FA Cup. Everyone could see he was on borrowed to time but the board backed him, gave him a new contract and more money to spend. Why? Now the club may face a huge compensation pay out.

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"Time and time again I looked at us last season and this season and I have been left scratching my head thinking what is he trying to do with the team he has selected and the formation he is playing. And, after looking at us on Sunday, I still haven’t a clue. The way he structures a side is beyond me. Totally wrong in my opinion. Recruitment has been abysmal.

"What is he doing in training with the players? What were his messages to the players? I don’t think he prepared the team properly for most of the games he was in charge. And, did a number of senior players not approach Ten Hag a year ago to question how he was training them, feeling that he was being too hard on them which resulted in injuries?

"Who in their right mind would play Mazraoui at No.10? He’s a left back for goodness sake! Maybe Ten Hag was looking to be sacked or else he really does not have a clue how to manage a club like Manchester United. The way we played and lost so easily at home to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur this season were embarrassing."

John believes Ten Hag "lost the dressing room" during his time at Old Trafford, a damning indictment on any manager.

"There is no question in my mind that Ten Hag lost the dressing room a long time ago. You need the right type of characters and personalities in a dressing room to provide the nucleus for a successful team on the pitch," he said.

"Every team needs a leader. We don’t have that and I would not have Bruno Fernandes as my captain because I think he throws the toys out of the pram too easily and too often. Other teams have leaders all over the pitch. I don’t see one in our squad.

"Look at how he got rid of David de Gea, how Harry Maguire was treated and stripped of the captaincy of the club, and the handling of Jadon Sancho, a £70 million player he got shot of because he would not say 'sorry' to Ten Hag. And then there was the spat with Ronaldo. Too many fallouts for one dressing room. Man-management or mismanagement?

"How miserable does Marcus Rashford look every time he plays for us? None of the players take to the pitch with a spring in their step. We had no identity under Ten Hag. What was his philosophy?"

Despite Ten Hag's failure at the helm, John also believes United's players need to take time to reflect on their own performances in the red jersey.

He said: "Unquestionably Ten Hag is being treated as the fall guy after Sunday's defeat but a lot of those players in that side need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror right now and ask themselves if they contributed to Ten Hag’s sacking. Many of the players could have played much better for him this season, but they let him down and they have also let us the fans down.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy is now the interim manager. I can only hope that the board and the fans do not get carried away if RVN gets off to a start like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did and put on a pair of Lancashire red rose tinted glasses and give him the job on a permanent basis.

"We need an experienced manager right now to steady a ship that is not seaworthy at present. The tide is against us right now and Ruud’s time in the hot seat of management may well be ahead of him but it is surely not now with United. We may as well go for Michael Carrick.

"I am proud of our fans who carried on supporting the team through very difficult circumstances. Keep the Red flag flying."

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