Is Ten Hag the right coach for Man Utd? Zlatan gives a blunt verdict

Is managing a club like Manchester United too much for Erik ten Hag? Zlatan Ibrahimovic shares his thoughts on this particular question.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has openly questioned the managerial capabilities of Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag.

Since his arrival from Ajax in 2022, Ten Hag has made some bold choices. He dropped Cristiano Ronaldo, leading to the striker’s exit, and recently suspended Jadon Sancho. Yet, under his leadership, United won their first trophy in almost six years by winning the Carabao Cup in February.

But while speaking to Piers Morgan on TalkTV, Ibrahimovic raised concerns about Ten Hag’s treatment of high-profile players. He even pondered whether the Dutchman is the right leader by pointing out the stark differences between United and Ajax.

“Ajax is a talented club. They have the best talents in the club. They don’t have big stars,” Ibrahimovic, who played for United and Ajax during his career, said, as quoted on The Sun.

“What is the experience of this coach? Young talents, he comes to United, it is a different mentality.

“The players there are supposed to be big stars. I don’t think you give the same treatment.

Ibrahimovic also emphasized the pressure to win at a club like United. He acknowledged that the fans’ demands are high, given their history of success.

In assessing Ten Hag’s situation, Ibrahimovic remarked, “You need a plan, you need a project to follow. It feels like you follow a project plan and then it goes wild in a moment because of the results.”

“Then obviously what happened with [Jadon] Sancho and Cristiano [Ronaldo], I don’t know,” the Swede added.

In Ten Hag’s second season, United sit down in 10th place in the Premier League. They’ve lost four of their opening seven games (W3), leaving them nine points off the table-topping Manchester City.

The Red Devils hope to get their first Champions League win of the season on Tuesday when Galatasaray swing over to Old Trafford for a Group A match.