Revealed: Bruno & Rashford key to Man United sacking Ten Hag

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are expected to be instrumental in whether Man United sack Erik ten Hag after Sunday’s humiliating home defeat to Tottenham.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who remains very well-connected within the game and is a regular at Old Trafford, revealed that questions have emerged surrounding the boss’ man-management skills.

Goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke saw the 10 men of United slump to an insipid 3-0 defeat against Spurs, that left Jamie Redknapp claiming Ten Hag was “completely out of his depth”.

United captain Bruno Fernandes was controversially sent off in the 42nd minute for a challenge on James Maddison. But United were already 1-0 down and in complete disarray by that stage in a performance the club’s former captain Gary Neville described as “absolutely disgusting”.

It came after Rashford was dropped from the United starting XI against Crystal Palace despite his fantastic performance in the 7-0 win against Barnsley.

There have been suggestions that Ten Hag’s erratic decisions with the starting XIs and substitutes could land him in hot water with the players.

Meanwhile, Fernandes’ form has raised red flags as he has gone 13 games without finding the net, leaving supporters frustrated by his displays.

As two of United’s most senior and influential players, their positions and relationships with the boss are said to hold the key to his future at Old Trafford.

Should he fall out of favour with both of the star players, which remains a possibility given their respective incidents in recent weeks, the pressure could become too much for Ten Hag.

Erik ten Hag pressure grows at Man United as Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford hold the cards

Reports have claimed that the Man United board are already assessing options including Eddie Howe and Gareth Southgate in case they decide to sack Ten Hag.

After a disappointing start to the season which saw United take just three wins from their opening eight games, questions are emerging about the boss’ long-term future.

Now, Robinson has insisted his treatment of the players could land him in further hot water as pressure on his position continues to grow.

“I was at the game when they beat Barnsley 7-0 and I got hoodwinked into thinking United are back,” he told Football Insider.

“Garnacho was good and kept his place, but Ten Hag made the strangest decision of the season for me by putting Rashford on the bench.

“After that Barnsley game, surely a player like that you’re keeping in the team?

“I think there are questions emerging at Man United surrounding Ten Hag’s man management with his players and the tactics.

“Bruno Fernandes hasn’t scored for 12 games now. He’s not performing and there’s got to be a reason that he’s not playing well.

“The links to the likes of Gareth Southgate and Eddie Howe are there, simply because I don’t think Erik ten Hag is going to be there for much longer.“

In other news, United fans have begun to turn on Bruno Fernandes after his display v Twente.

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The post Revealed: Bruno & Rashford key to Man United sacking Ten Hag appeared first on Football Insider.