FORMER Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has claimed Erik ten Hag is responsible for the club’s start to the season… NOT the Glazers.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant also believes Raphael Varane and Casemiro aren’t up to the speed of English football.
GettyRene Meulensteen has claimed the Glazers are not to blame for Man Utd’s dire start to the season[/caption]
AlamyErik ten Hag needs to tinker his way of playing, claims the ex-coach[/caption]
Man Utd currently sit tenth in the Premier League table after a disappointing opening eight games.
The Red Devils have already lost four times and conceded 12 goals.
And things are worse in the Champions League, having suffered two defeats in two matches.
But Meulensteen – who worked as one of Fergie‘s No2 from 2007 to 2013 – thinks the Glazers and the ownership situation is just an excuse for poor performances.
He told ESPN: “Ten Hag has brought in all the players and cannot say that he has not been supported. He has indicated that he is happy with this.
“He gets a lot of credit from the fans, I understand that, but these are not players who were brought in by the Glazers and are now on the field.
“Ten Hag wants to put a lot of pressure on, with a lot of intensity. Just like at Ajax.
“But he doesn’t have the players for that. The players don’t have the mentality to constantly put pressure on.
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“Varane cannot handle the pace. The Premier League is dynamic. Everything goes at 100 kilometres per hour.
“Casemiro, for example, can’t handle it at all. Ten Hag has a certain conviction about how he wants to play. But he has to find ways to get there.
“That is the big problem in midfield. They have no energy and that is how the defence gets into trouble.”
Meulensteen also revealed that he thinks Man Utd’s start to the season is “worrying” and that he was hoping the club would progress after Ten Hag’s first season.
Casemiro and Raphael Varane aren’t up to the pace of the league, slammed Rene MeulensteenPA
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