‘Brilliant job’ – Former Manchester United manager claims Erik ten Hag deserves credit

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has backed Erik ten Hag to succeed at Old Trafford, despite the Dutchman facing fierce scrutiny as he clings onto his job.

Moyes, who landed a new job as a technical observer for UEFA last month, was the first manager to take the job following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. The Scot left West Ham at the end of last season.

After a poor start to the 2013/14 season, Moyes was sacked just six months after becoming United manager, so he knows a thing or two about the pressure that comes with the job.

United have gone on to hire multiple managers but have not won a Premier League title since Ferguson stood down from the role. It’s a challenge Ten Hag welcomed over two years ago, but dire results in his third season raised further questions about his suitability for the job.

Speaking to BBC Sport about Ten Hag, Moyes said via The Sun: “I think he’s doing a brilliant job. I think he’s shown brilliant resilience in the situation that he’s in and I think he should be credited for how well he’s conducted himself.

“As far as I know, I don’t see him ducking any questions or any media interviews that you people [the media] put forward to him. I think you have to give him great credit for that but it’s a job that is going to attract immense pressure, people talking, so I have to say that I think he’s doing a brilliant job.”

Erik ten Hag has achieved, whereas David Moyes ultimately failed

Criticism is nothing new for Ten Hag, despite winning a Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons at Old Trafford.

Moyes, on the other hand, delivered no trophies during his short reign at United. Some will argue he deserved more time but the same could be said for some of the managers that followed him.

After Moyes, Louis van Gaal came in and won the FA Cup before getting sacked. Jose Mourinho replaced the Dutchman before delivering the Carabao Cup and Europa League.

United were unlucky not to win a second Europa League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who, like Moyes, was unable to win any trophies at United.