Erik ten Hag is currently the most confident man in football after it was confirmed that he would be remaining as Manchester United’s manager.
The Dutchman is so confident that he is even throwing jabs at Gareth Southgate, one of the men touted to replace him if the Red Devils had decided to let him go.
Southgate is currently working with a select group of players to bring home England’s first men’s trophy since the 1966 FIFA World Cup in Germany. He oversaw an opening day win for the Three Lions against Serbia in the Euro 2024 tournament but the scoreline was disappointing for most.
The former AFC Ajax Amsterdam manager, who earlier revealed that United flew to him while he was on holiday to inform him of their decision to continue working with him ahead of the 2024/25 season, stated that Southgate’s tactics were lacking and the reason why they could not take out Serbia as they were expected to.
“It’s the vision of the manager [Southgate],” said ten Hag on Dutch TV NOS’s coverage of the ongoing tournament after England’s form dipped in the second half after impressing in the opening 45 minutes.
“England will take a 1-0 lead, then he [Southgate] decides to start gambling with making his team compact and relying on moments for the remaining minutes of the game.”
Many fans and pundits also pointed to Southgate’s decision to drop Marcus Rashford for the tournament as a reason for his struggles against Serbia. However, ten Hag, who currently manages the Englishman at club level, also took a direct shot at his own player, stating that his absence from the Three Lions squad was of his own doing.
“Grealish and Rashford were both lacking this season,” ten Hag said. “And when you are lacking, you risk not getting picked for your country.”
Rashford has been seen working to get back to his best ahead of pre-season, however, which shows that he is ready to get back to the levels he hit in the 2022/23 season. However, there is still uncertainty about his future at the club as a shake up is expected to happen soon.
Former Man United striker Michael Owen believes the club should still give the Englishman a chance, however.
“I think he [Rashford] should stay. I mean, he’s a local lad, he’s obviously a talented boy. And with all due respect, he’s a great player, but where’s his move?” Owen said in a broadcast.
“Who buys him? He’s not going to cost 20 million, is he? He’s going to be 80, 90, 100 million or something ridiculous. So who buys him at that? I can’t imagine.
“Having been so up and down and out of form for periods, I’d be very surprised if any of the big hitters would want to go and spend massive, massive money on him. So, I think as much as it’s all pie in the sky and everybody likes to get excited by it.
“I just don’t see any option really, bar him finding his form at Manchester United. As I say, he’s talented, very talented.”
