Martin Keown slams 'astonishing' Man Utd decision and makes Erik ten Hag prediction

Martin Keown has blasted Manchester United's decision to keep Erik ten Hag as manager despite last season's wretched results.

The Dutchman was surprisingly handed a new contract in the summer, despite only finishing eighth last year. The start to the current campaign has also been a struggle, with United winning just twice so far.

That form has put Ten Hag back in the firing line following another summer of heavy spending. United currently sit 11th in the table, six points adrift of the top four having played a game less.

But Keown has now revealed he could not believe Ten Hag was given another chance to impress, despite winning the FA Cup in May. The former Arsenal star has insisted the Dutchman should already be on the hot seat.

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"If you’re going to stick with a manager who lost 13 Premier League games last year it’s quite astonishing. Manchester United won the FA Cup and that saved Erik ten Hag," the former England defender told Football Focus.

"He is under huge pressure already. Then you look at Ange at Spurs who have no trophy since 2008 – that was 16 years ago. I feel Spurs will now turn the corner.

"I like how the manger is getting it in there and putting it on the line that he wins something in his second season. Nonetheless, he is prepared to put it on the line and I like that."

Ten Hag himself has admitted that his side have not been good enough this season. He insisted that the standards at Old Trafford must be higher as he looks to guide them back up the table

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"Yeah, first of all, respect the criticism. There are many. You can have an opinion about football, when you are in a job, you have to deal with this. But I can't take every criticism into account," he said.

I don't read, of course, all the criticism, not even possible, but I don't want either to know. It's about: I need to know some, and some are very good advices... but for me, it's stay clinical, and see where the team is, which areas we have to improve.

"Stay also methodical, that you guide the team in the right pathway, and make sure you make the right steps to get the best out of the team. I think we will be judged every game, and that's normal.

And everyone is, for every game, expecting United is winning, and we know that, so that's not a secret for anyone. When you are in this club, you have to deal with this factor, and we do. We are going in a good direction."

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