Yahoo News Erik ten Hag 'deserves one more season' as Man United players' self-respect slammed
Wes Brown believes Erik ten Hag could be "in trouble" if Manchester United fail to win the FA Cup but says the Dutchman should be afforded more time in charge.
After a string of disappointing showings this season, the former United defender also called on players to take more responsibility. Saturday's 2-2 draw away at AFC Bournemouth left them in seventh as they face the threat of their worst-ever Premier League finish, following their seventh in 2013/14 under David Moyes.
They sit 13 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and 10 off Tottenham Hotspur who are fifth in the Premier League. Ten Hag could still scoop silverware with their FA Cup semi-final against underdogs Coventry City on Saturday.
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Brown, who won 13 trophies at Old Trafford, has claimed that United should allow some security and believes he has secured enough credit to lead the club into next season.
"I don't think that Manchester United are the sort of club that should be changing the manager, they should have a respectful three or four years to get what they want done," he told The Zone. "They have to give him one more season, it's simple. I think the manager has done enough in the first two seasons to secure another season.
"I like Erik ten Hag. United have had big-name managers in and it's all been the same, so something is not right somewhere. You have to give the manager time because if you want to kick on and injuries have stopped him doing what he's wanted to do this year. Martinez is a big miss, he changed things a little bit for Manchester United, he brings power to the defensive line - just like Varane.
"This season is a tough watch, it's not brilliant now if you're a Manchester United fan. Last season was positive with a good league finish and two finals and a cup, this is where they want to be.
"The FA Cup could be massive. Erik had a fantastic start last season, finishing well in the league and getting to two finals - winning one," Brown continued. "United have a great opportunity to get to the FA Cup final, winning it will be a big boost. Manchester United are used to winning trophies so it'd be massive for the manager, it's one he'll want to win or he could be in trouble."
Injuries, particularly in defence, have hampered Ten Hag and his side this season. Lisandro Martinez - who enjoyed a sparkling debut season in the Premier League - has endured spells on the sidelines with further problems for Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw.
During the difficult campaign, criticism hasn't been far from Ten Hag and his side but Brown believes players need to "stand up" if they haven't been performing.
He said: "Manchester United need to be doing better and a lot of people take it out on the manager, but because I've been a player, I'm a player person and I think the players need to stand up as well. Even if it's not the first 11 performing you have to have the respect about yourself to go and play well.
"Even if you are a sub, you have to get on and show the manager that you are good enough to be straight in the team. It's just not happening.
"With what's happened and the injuries that Manchester United have had, the manager needs more time. There may be some different changes among the players in the summer and how Sir Jim controls things in his own way, which will include bringing some other people on the football side to do that. The manager has been fine and did a very good job last season and they've dropped off a bit this season with missing some bigger players at the back.
"Manchester United need to bring top need players in the summer, players that are bossing their positions and bring characters to the team, demand more from the other players. The players that come in need to gel, at times, this season, they have played as individuals and you can tell the top three are teams that are playing together, scoring together, winning together and losing together."
