ESPN journo: Ten Hag’s scouts ‘badly’ let him down by suggesting two signings who’re ‘nowhere near United level’

Manchester United fans are largely of the belief that Erik ten Hag has overseen his final game as manager of the club.

With INEOS chiefs scheduled to meet in London today, the expectation is that a definitive decision will be made on the Dutchman’s future – which is ludicrous, considering outlets were relaying these exact stories in the summer.

Back in June, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his entourage opted to stick with Ten Hag, subsequently awarding him with a two-year contract extension. It’s thought that their choice was something of a last resort, however, as they had held talks with potential managerial successors, albeit to no avail. 

Now facing calls to do the right thing and finally put fans out of their misery, the new part-owners have a season-defining judgment to make. 

Read more: Manchester United retain interest in Chelsea star regularly overlooked by Enzo Maresca

Ten Hag can’t take all the blame, suggest journo

ESPN’s Mark Ogden believes Ten Hag isn’t all to blame, though, as he has suggested that he’s been ‘let down badly’ by the scouting staff who advised the club to sign under-performers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund – United’s only out-and-out centre-forwards in the squad.

He shared on X/Twitter after the Aston Villa stalemate: “Whether Ten Hag stays or goes as Man United manager, he’s been let down badly by the people who scouted his forwards. Hojlund and Zirkzee [are] nowhere near United level.”