‘A graveyard for reputations’: Gary Neville suggests Erik ten Hag could turn down Manchester United

The current Ajax manager is considered United’s preferred candidate to replace Ralf Rangnick

Tom Kershaw
Monday 11 April 2022 05:46 EDT
Comments
Erik ten Hag is believed to be Manchester United’s preferred candidate
Erik ten Hag is believed to be Manchester United’s preferred candidate (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Gary Neville believes Erik ten Hag may be wary of accepting the Manchester United job as the club’s current farce has made it a “graveyard for reputations”.

After being knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid, United’s misery has deepened with a draw against Leicester followed by a defeat against Everton at the weekend.

It has left Ralf Rangnick’s side seventh in the table and Neville has claimed that Ten Hag, who is also reportedly subject to interest from RB Leipzig, could be hesitant to take on such a drastic rebuilding job.

“I suspect Rangnick will be speaking to Ten Hag honestly, [Donny] van de Beek will be answering him honestly,’ Neville said on his podcast. “We know Edwin van der Sar is over at Ajax and will be speaking to Ten Hag honestly.

“They will be saying be very careful about going to Manchester United because it can be a graveyard for reputations at this moment in time.

“Rangnick came with an incredible reputation but he’s now starting to be wounded by what’s happening around him and he looks weaker and vulnerable on the touchline due to the performances of players on the pitch, who have nothing to do with him.

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a good man, the players liked him and yet they turned him over. It’s a real difficult position for the club to be at.”

Neville also questioned the players in Manchester United’s dressing room and claimed not one of them would get into the team at either Manchester City or Liverpool.

“I’ve got very few words left for Manchester United,” he said. “No anger, no comment anymore. They are a bit of a farce; you almost expect it from them. The players are taking Ralf Rangnick down with them. They are bad.

“When I look at Manchester City and Liverpool, they have humble football players; no over-inflated egos, they understand their position, the team comes first.

“There isn’t one Manchester United player that would get into any of those two teams, so why would you have an over-inflated ego, think you didn’t have to work hard, or be spiritless? I don’t see anything anymore.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in