MARTIN KEOWN has questioned if “lonely” Erik ten Hag gets enough help from Manchester United staff like assistant boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Arsenal legend Keown and then-United striker Van Nistelrooy were famously fierce rivals on the pitch, peaking with the “Battle of Old Trafford” in September 2003.
Now the former England defender wonders whether RVN is “giving everything” to support under-pressure fellow Dutchman Ten Hag.
Sunday’s shocking 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham plunged the Red Devils to 13th in the Premier League.
United have lost three of their six Pem games, scoring just five times.
And Keown appeared to speculate that Van Nistelrooy, who only returned to Old Trafford in the summer, has one eye on succeeding Ten Hag.
The BBC and TNT Sports pundit told talkSPORT: “I’m looking at Van Nistelrooy. Is he giving everything to this manager? This manager looks very lonely on the sideline.
“Is Van Nistelrooy waiting to take over? Because it looks as if there’s going to be change taking place there.”
Keown added: “Is everyone adding to the group? I’m not seeing that from Van Nistelrooy.
“Ten Hag is just sitting there, nothing going on, no conversation. Pep [Guardiola] goes back and speaks to the gurus next to him.
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“Is everybody looking in the mirror at themselves giving their best?
“It doesn’t look like the players are committed, it doesn’t look like the staff are particularly committed. It’s a lone man in the dugout.”
Ex-England chief Gareth Southgate and Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi are rated prime contenders to step in if Ten Hag does depart Old Trafford.
The former Ajax manager is the bookies’ favourite to be the next top-flight chief out, ahead of Southampton’s Russell Martin and Wolves boss Gary O’Neil.
Keown suggested it might be best for United if Ten Hag, who took over in April 2022, did leave soon.
He said: “You could look at it and say, ‘well, OK, the management team that’s in there, if they allowed him to lose that many games last year, then no wonder he’s going to be allowed to carry on’.
“But I’m not sure that’s the right way to go with this current manager. I think it’s time now.”
Ten Hag, 54, won the EFL Cup in his first season in charge, then masterminded United’s 2-1 FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City last term.
Club chiefs then triggered a one-year extension to his contract, taking it to 2026.
MANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.
After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.
However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.
And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.
Andre Onana – 5
Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.
Manuel Ugarte – 5
Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5
Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.
Subs:
Mount (for Mainoo 45) 5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5.
