A former Manchester United first-team coach has suggested that Pep Guardiola is the only person capable of transforming the club’s fortunes in a stern defence of current boss Erik ten Hag.Pep Guardiola: The Only Solution for Man Utd’s Woes?
Ten’s Hag’s future remains in doubt amid a disastrous start to the season for the club, with United without a win in five games on the back of a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last time out.
Despite going three games without a goal too, Ten Hag continues to be backed by United executives after being chosen to stay on as manager last season after winning the FA Cup.
The likes of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and current assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy have all been linked with the role, but the Dutchman will at least get a period after the international break to prove his worth.
But Benni McCarthy, who spent two seasons as a coach at United before departing at the end of last season, has claimed that no one would do a better job than the current manager – other than Pep Guardiola.
McCarthy, speaking to SuperSport, said: ‘I can imagine how hard it is for Erik, because he’s probably one of the hardest-working managers I’ve come across. His attention to detail, that man sleeps at 4am.
‘And when you put that much work in, you expect things to go well, but that’s why I’m saying there’s something [that’s not right]. People always look for answers like replacing the coach – who are you replacing him with? Who else is better than what they have?
‘You’re not going to get many managers, unless Pep [Guardiola] decides to change from City. But other than that I can’t really say there’s much better than Ten Hag.’
The Dutchman delivered United’s worst-ever Premier League finish last year – eighth – and has go them off to their worst-ever start this term.
United have won just two of their seven Premier League matches this term, while they have also drawn twice in the Europa League.
Guardiola, meanwhile, has City second in the Premier League and unbeaten in their bid to win their fifth-consecutive Premier League record.
Though the idea of the Spaniard ever taking over at Old Trafford is far-fetched, a number of other managerial candidates could soon replace Ten Hag in the hotseat.
United will take on Brentford in their first game back after the break, while a European match against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce also awaits.
Following that, United will take on the likes of West Ham and Chelsea before the November break, though it remains to be seen if Ten Hag will still be in charge by then.
The Red Devils have gone three games without scoring in the Premier League.
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