Erik ten Hag: Man Utd critics lack 'knowledge'

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag questioned the football knowledge of some of his critics as impatient supporters call for his exit this summer.

The Red Devils boss has presided over one of the club's worst ever Premier League seasons but has been hampered by severe injuries in his first-team squad. United currently sit eighth in the English top flight, well off the pace for Champions League qualification.

There is hope for silverware when they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final later this month, but Monday night's 4-0 hammering at Crystal Palace provided a new low for Ten Hag in his reign at Old Trafford so far.

The Dutchman, however, pointed to the unwavering away support at Selhurst Park and dismissed the criticism.

He said in his pre-match press conference: "I think the fans have the patience - you've seen it on Monday.

"But when I see some comments, they don't. And either they don't have any knowledge about football, or they don't have any knowledge about managing a football team. It's possible, or they just are up to it.

"But I think there are many people that see the problems and they are patient."

Man Utd's squad is in a poor state fitness-wise, with Ten Hag having to play midfielder Casemiro and an unfit Jonny Evans in central defence in the heavy defeat earlier this week.

"If I see the problems we have faced, all the injuries, and in almost every game they fought," Ten Hag added. "There was great team spirit.

"Not on Monday, that is why I was so disappointed. Monday I was really disappointed (with) and also the players were disappointed with themselves. There was collectively failure.

"But all the other games we fought with each other, had good team spirit, so, no, I can't have any doubt about this."

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