Dwight Yorke, former striker of Manchester United, has defended manager Erik ten Hag following the team's European elimination. The ex-Mancunian does not see Ten Hag's departure as a solution to the problems at the club.
"I want to give Ten Hag the benefit of the doubt for now," said Yorke, who played for United from 1998 to 2002, in a conversation with the BBC.
"I think Ten Hag's performance last season has earned him some extra time. However, looking at this season, it’s clear that not everything that could be achieved has been."
"An important aspect of coaching, a field in which I am now making strides myself, is developing and improving the squad. The players that Ten Hag has brought in have not yet convinced me. I find some of his choices in this regard questionable," continued Yorke, who won the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup with United in the 1998/99 season.
"I believe that Ten Hag should be given at least until the end of this season to turn things around," concluded the former striker from Trinidad & Tobago, who also played for Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, and Sunderland in England. After their elimination in Europe, Man Utd is facing a crucial Premier League match against Liverpool this coming Sunday.
Yorke's defense of Ten Hag comes at a crucial time, highlighting the complexities of managing a high-profile club like Manchester United. Despite the European disappointment, Yorke's emphasis on giving Ten Hag time reflects a recognition of the challenges involved in rebuilding and reshaping a team. His critique of the new signings points to the difficulties of integrating new players into an established squad, a task that often takes more than a single season to accomplish.
The upcoming match against Liverpool is seen as a significant test for Ten Hag's United. It presents an opportunity for the team to demonstrate resilience and for Ten Hag to showcase his tactical acumen against one of the Premier League's top teams. This match could be pivotal in defining the rest of United's season and, potentially, Ten Hag's future at the club.
