New manager Erik ten Hag came back down to earth with a bang on Sunday after a promising preseason with United. F365 says: Ten Hag shocked by Potter as Man Utd boss fails to avoid blame despite countless reservations They slumped to an opening day defeat by Brighton at Old Trafford and were completely outplayed by Graham Potter’s side in the first half. After the game, United legends Roy Keane and Paul Scholes pleaded with their former club to make more signings after a less-than-impressive display from some Red Devils. And Neville agrees that Ten Hag has inherited an “unacceptable situation”, arguing that it is “abuse” to stick with players who are not good enough before questioning the “reliance” on Dutch players. Neville told Sky Sports: “They’re the easiest team to play against in the Championship – that’s a massive concern. Their openness is incredible. “It would be a shock to him [Ten Hag] after a promising preparation. “But anyone who has watched these Manchester United players he has delivered will recognize that he is a familiar sight and the people above him should know that it was an unacceptable situation to hand Erik ten Hag this team over. “It needed improvement more than it was. There is still time in the window, but he needed another three or four weeks to work with them. “Every manager thinks they can do better than the last manager with the players they have at their disposal as they think they are a better manager and that is probably the case with this one. But the reality is that he has seen what these players are capable of today. “These players had a good season when the fans weren’t on the pitch during Covid, but when the fans came back, the team now can’t come from behind in games. “I don’t think any Manchester United fan or pundit who has watched this team over the last 12 months, with the same players playing in the same positions, expected anything different from what we saw. “Ten Haag will be disappointed because he saw positive signs in pre-season, but reality has hit. “The coach needs time, so I won’t take him. And there comes a time when I will no longer deal with the players. If you have a business and the people in that business can’t do the work for you, then you put them out of business. “It’s an abuse to keep them on the job longer, as they don’t enjoy it either. “The reality is that these players need to be replaced or supported by better players. “They knew six, eight or even 12 months ago that the team needed investment this summer. “Players like (Juan) Mata and (Nemanja) Matic were leaving, they knew the problems with Anthony Martial, Cristiano Ronaldo were coming to an end. (Edinson) Cavani is leaving, the Mason Greenwood situation is no longer at the club. “These things have been known for a long time. “I’m worried about every element of recruiting. The reliance on buying Dutch players means that the recruitment department is not reliable as the coach will go to Holland to get players he knows. “A market that is not always the most expensive market for the Premier League – there have been some good players but it has not had a great success rate. This worries me. “There is a bit of desperation that the manager, an excellent manager, has not been given the tools he needs to start the season with a rejuvenated squad. “There is a feeling that if they get Frenkie de Jong it will be a successful window. Will not be. They needed a lot more from De Jong. They might not even take him, although I hope they do as he is an important player for the manager. There will be a bit of panic at the club as the pressure will be high from the media, the fans.” As for the owners, Neville is adamant about what needs to happen. “The time has come for the Glazer family to sell the football team. It’s snowing.”
