Ex-Arsenal star slams Man Utd players for ‘hiding’ behind Erik ten Hag after difficult start to new season

Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has criticized Manchester United players for “hiding” behind manager Erik ten Hag following a tough start to the new season.

United suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats to Brighton and Liverpool, putting the Dutch manager under renewed scrutiny.

However, signs of improvement have emerged since the international break, with the team securing two consecutive victories, including a commanding 7-0 win over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

Despite finishing eighth in the league last season, INEOS has shown patience with Ten Hag and backed him with key summer signings.

Petit believes it is now up to the players to step up and deliver for their manager.

In an interview with BetMGM, Petit said: “I don’t agree with all of the criticism around Erik ten Hag.

“I actually look at the players there and think they are hiding behind him.

“I don’t like it.

“These are players with real pedigree and they hide behind him instead of fronting up and doing a job for the team.”

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, Manchester United have hired four permanent managers and three interim coaches, yet the club continues to struggle in reclaiming its former glory.

While Petit acknowledged that frequent managerial changes complicate the situation, he emphasized that the players must also take greater responsibility to help turn the club’s fortunes around.

“It’s so hard for a club when they keep changing managers as much as Manchester United have,” Petit admitted.

“It’s such a pity to see the club in the state it’s in.

“The Premier League needs Manchester United back at its best and it starts with the players.

“Yes, the manager is responsible for a lot of things and so are the board for getting it right in the transfer market, but at the end of the day it’s the responsibility of the players on the pitch and they haven’t been good enough for some time now.”

Following a morale-boosting 7-0 victory over Barnsley, Manchester United aim to build on their resurgence as they travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace.

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