EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United are ‘embarrassing’ and the end of the season should be a time for a complete reset in the dugout.
That’s the strong view of talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor who believes time is up for manager Erik ten Hag, who has overseen a less than impressive campaign.
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Days after scraping past Coventry in the FA Cup semi-final, United fell behind twice in an unconvincing 4-2 victory over Premier League basement boys Sheffield United.
United are currently sixth in the Premier League table but a return to the Champions League next season appears unlikely, having fallen a whopping 13-points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa with five games left to play.
Despite a £165m summer spending spree on Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund, United have been unable to kick on from last season’s third-place finish and Agbonlahor was quick to lay the blame at Ten Hag’s door.
“Ten Hag’s got to go, PE teacher, off you go mate,” the former Aston Villa striker told talkSPORT.
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“He’s not been good enough after winning [the Carabao Cup] last year. Where’s the progress? Where’s the improvement? No Champions League next season, it's a step backwards.
“He talks about back-to-back cup finals being amazing – No!”
The Dutchman came off second best to Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final and has the opportunity to inflict revenge on the holders in May's Wembley showdown.
Last season, Ten Hag had already secured a top four league finish to qualify for the Champions League in addition to winning the Carabao Cup, however Agbonlahor feels winning the FA Cup final is unlikely to save him from the axe.
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“It doesn't matter, in a final, in a one-off game it can happen [Man United win],” he added. “They just got over the line against Coventry.
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“For me, they need a total reset. Get rid of some of these players, I would sell [Marcus] Rashford because [Kylian] Mbappe will be leaving PSG to go to Real Madrid, so it’s a perfect fit for him to go to PSG.
“Get some big money for him and start buying some more players with a manager who you see a future with.
Graeme Souness thinks Erik ten Hag will still be sacked by Manchester United, even if they beat rivals Manchester City to lift FA Cup
“I don’t see Manchester United breaking into the top four next season. This is embarrassing for Manchester United fans, they are 24 points behind Arsenal.”
If United do beat City at Wembley it would stop them winning a potential league and cup double.
Pep Guardiola's side have two games in hand on league leaders Arsenal, who sit four points above them going into final four games of the season.