After a horrifying but expected defeat at Crystal Palace, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was forced to field further inquiries about his professional future.
This was undoubtedly the easiest of United’s final four league games, which is concerning, and there’s still the possibility of the FA Cup final.
Does Erik ten Hag give Manchester United the best chance to win at Wembley and save the season?
Michael Owen, a former striker for Manchester United, is in favor of an interim manager.
Michael Owen believes Steve McClaren might take the lead
Paul Scholes and Michael Owen chatted with Premier League Productions after Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
“They are going to get smashed out of the ball park playing like that,” Owen said, making it apparent that he believes a temporary change is required. In front of millions of people at Wembley, City will humiliate them.
Owen acknowledges that there are very few opportunities to bring in a coach on short notice, but he thinks Steve McClaren, one of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff members, could step up.
He added that he thinks McClaren’s influence is being marginalized and that he does not think the former manager of Newcastle and England is a contributing factor to the issue.
“We’ve played under Steve McClaren,” Owen stated. His fingerprints are definitely not on that team in any way. He is an excellent coach, but that team is not receiving any coaching from him. Not in a way.
He has nothing whatsoever to do with that team, end of story. It’s not feasible. Through it all, that team has no idea what to do.
“I can only assume that other people are coaching the first team and Steve McClaren is a bystander. He is a top operator.”
When asked if he would accept McClaren starting in place of Ten Hag for the remainder of the season, Owen said, “Yeah, whatever, for four games.”
“Now is the time for something to change. We understand that something needs to change in the summer because there are too many important games, European football the following year, and a trophy up for grabs at the end of the season.
Scholes backed up McClaren praise
During the Treble season, Steve McClaren assisted Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United’s head coach.
“He’s not touching that team, the manager [Ten Hag] is not letting him touch that team,” Paul Scholes said in response to Owen’s remarks.
“Everyone believes that we were a fantastic team that defeated opponents and attacked everyone. However, on occasions we faced stronger opponents, and Steve McClaren ran drills to make sure you stopped them by maintaining proper angles and distances, particularly in midfield.”
With the greatest compliment of all, he continued, saying, “He’s the best coach I ever had.”
Additionally, Scholes expressed his concern for the remaining games by saying that he feels that “the fight has gone out” in this Manchester United team.
