Erik ten Hag urged to 'make Man Utd pay' by former Premier League manager

Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew believes Erik ten Hag should make Manchester United "pay" for how they've treated him.

United eventually announced Ten Hag would stay at the club after he faced an uncertain future following a poor season at the club. United considered other candidates while Ten Hag remained in his position and former Newcastle boss Pardew thinks the Red Devils have been "disrespectful".

Speaking with Jeff Stelling on talkSPORT, Pardew believes Ten Hag now holds all the aces when it comes to negotiating for a new contract with United. "You can't say anything else but it was disrespectful to him and he obviously is sensing that," Pardew said.

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"His punditry, when he did it for Dutch TV, was enlightening in my view because he was more or less saying 'well they've had their review and they've come to the best, and I am the best' and you know he has got that arrogance about him, but now from my point of view he holds all the cards."

It's believed that United contacted Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna's representatives in the build-up to the FA Cup Final and that Sir Jim Ratcliffe held talks with ex-Chelsea boss Thoman Tuchel about taking over at Old Trafford. When asked how Pardew would feel if he was to be treated in a similar fashion, the former West Ham coach said he would make the club "pay" with the two parties yet to agree on a proposed new contract.

"I mean they've come out with a new statement saying we're going to give him a new contract, well they haven't got the contract yet," Pardew said. "So if I was Ten Hag I'd be like 'hmm I'll make you pay for that' and you would, why wouldn't you? You know, the speaking to other managers and eventually coming out and saying more or less they spoke to Tuchel etc."

Stelling asked Pardew if Ten Hag could be tempted to walk from United however the ex-West Brom chief didn't believe he would and argued that the United manager could bargain for a financially generous package out of any new deal. "No he won't be tempted to walk away, he ain't walking away from Man United but he is in a great negotiating position," Pardew added.

"You could argue that for a point, and come out with a financial contract that would be way better than he was ever going to get, so maybe they have made politically the wrong move at all the wrong times."

Appearing on Dutch television this week, Ten Hag spoke very directly when asked about the debacle at United over whether he was to stay or go. "Manchester United and I still have to find an agreement for the new contract," Ten Hag told NOS. "This isn't easily done, we are still going to have to talk about this."

Mentioning the approach for Tuchel while he was still in charge, Ten Hag added: "United have told me they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager." In a brazenly honest moment, the United manager also revealed that United reps "disturbed" his holiday to inform him of their decision.

"United disturbed my holiday, they suddenly stood at my doorstep. They flew to me in Ibiza. Ineos took their time," he said. "They are new in football, it's normal to reflect on the season. It's no secret that they talked with multiple candidates. Here in Holland this is 'not done,' in fact, it's not even allowed here, but in England they have different rules and laws."