ERIK TEN HAG has been defended by an Arsenal legend in a scathing rant aimed at his Manchester United players.
The former Premier League winner accused the Red Devils stars of “hiding” behind their manager during his tenure.
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Ten Hag is into his third season in charge at Old Trafford after winning the FA Cup in May.
His Wembley triumph was followed by a contract extension through to 2026 after months of speculation about his future.
However, the Dutchman has already come under pressure this term following defeats to Brighton and Liverpool.
A comfortable victory away to newly-promoted Southampton last weekend has eased the pressure on Ten Hag, though.
Meanwhile, former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit has now come to his defence in a brutal dressing down of the United squad.
Appearing on BetMGM’s The LineUp, Petit explained: “I don’t agree with all of the criticism around Erik ten Hag.
“It’s so hard for a club when they keep changing managers as much as Manchester United have and I actually look at the players there and think they are hiding behind him.
“I don’t like it. These are players with real pedigree and they hide behind him instead of fronting up and doing a job for the team.
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“It’s such a pity to see the club in the state it’s in. The Premier League needs Manchester United back at its best and it starts with the players.
“Yes, the manager is responsible for a lot of things and so are the board for getting it right in the transfer market, but at the end of the day it’s the responsibility of the players on the pitch and they haven’t been good enough for some time now.”
Ten Hag was backed in the transfer market this summer following his second trophy in as many seasons.
United spent £180million on five new arrivals ahead of the new campaign.
The Red Devils boss will now be hoping to add to the momentum his side have built since the international break.
Saturday’s win was followed by a 7-0 thrashing of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
United are back in action away to Crystal Palace this weekend, where a win could lift them into the top four.
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