Ten Hag Under Fire: Former Assistant McCarthy Slams Lack of Passion and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Misuse
Erik ten Hag is facing intense scrutiny after Manchester United’s disastrous 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, and former assistant coach Benni McCarthy has become the latest to join the chorus of criticism. The South African legend, who spent two years working under Ten Hag before leaving in the summer, has claimed that the Dutchman lacks "passion" and "wasted" Cristiano Ronaldo’s talents.
In an interview with Zero Zero, McCarthy explained that Ten Hag’s leadership style differs from his own, saying, "He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I. I think that was one of the difficulties that the team and the players encountered."
The 46-year-old former striker also criticized Ten Hag’s handling of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the club. The Portugal legend re-joined Man Utd in 2021 but left less than 18 months later after a fall-out with Ten Hag. McCarthy believes that the situation could have been handled better, saying, "If we work as a team and then let Cristiano do what he needs to do in his position, because he is the best in the world at it, that is ideal. I think Manchester United wasted a great opportunity to use Cristiano in the right way."
McCarthy went on to praise several Man Utd players, including Lisandro Martinez, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Amad Diallo, highlighting their strengths and potential. He believes that these players have the talent and passion to excel at the highest level.
The former Blackburn and West Ham striker’s comments are likely to add fuel to the fire surrounding Ten Hag’s leadership at Old Trafford. Manchester United are currently 13th in the Premier League and without a win in three matches in all competitions. The team’s performance has been far from impressive, and the pressure is mounting on Ten Hag to turn things around.
What do you think about Benni McCarthy’s comments on Erik ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo? Share your opinions in the comments section below!
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