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Manchester United ‘have let everyone down’ and Erik ten Hag should ‘run a mile’ due to ‘horrible group of players’ – Pundits react to Old Trafford woes
talkSPORT pundits have hit out at Manchester United's under-performing stars after their woeful 1-0 defeat to Everton at the weekend.
If their loss to the relegation-threatened Toffees wasn't bad enough, there was big criticism over the individual performances, while Cristiano Ronaldo lashed out at a young fan after the final whistle.
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Arsenal legend Ray Parlour was quizzed on the form of his old rivals, and admitted he has been disappointed by the Red Devils this season, having tipped them for a top-four at the start of the season.
That prediction came after a summer of big spending, but now - with United down in seventh place and six points adrift of the Champions League places - he admits the United team has 'let everybody down'.
"Manchester United is the big surprise for me because I did have them, with the squad they have got, to be fourth", Parlour said on the talkSPORT Breakfast show.
"I said I would love Arsenal to go fourth, but I would go with Manchester United because of the squad they have got.
"But they have let everybody down, really. They have let the Manchester United fans down."
Meanwhile, talkSPORT reporter and United fan Alex Crook offered his verdict in a scathing rant about the club, as he questioned the attitude of the team - branding them a 'horrible group of players'.
Ouch.
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"It has been a wretched season for Manchester United, it is a horrible group of players", he said.
"It's a group of players who seem to be living off the trappings of playing for Manchester United, but don't want to put a shift in on the pitch. It is a group of players that needs a complete overhaul."
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is set to be appointed the new Manchester United manager at the end of the campaign, despite last-minute links with RB Leipzig.
But Crook says the Dutchman should 'run a mile' from the Old Trafford job.
He continued: "Ten Hag looks to be the chosen one, I think United are just delaying the appointment until Ajax have settled their league campaign and they are still in the Dutch Cup as well, but I think Ten Hag's move will happen.
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"If I was Ten Hag watching that yesterday, I would run a mile.
"He will be walking in to a toxic dressing room. We know players will move on, but the fact Paul Pogba is allowed to go on a long farewell tour is baffling, for me.
"He should be nowhere near the team. He has no commitment to Manchester United, and showed little since his return.
"Suddenly, all of a sudden, Juan Mata - who has not played all season - seems to be the answer to the problems. I can't get my head around that.
"Nemanja Matic is also still rumbling around in midfield and Aaron Wan-Bissaka seems to be getting worse by the game. There are so many players that need moving on."
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The presenter did heap praise on misfiring forward Marcus Rashford, however, who has failed to deliver at Old Trafford this campaign but who looked bright against Everton.
He forced Jordan Pickford into a number of stunning saves early on, but was replaced by Anthony Elanga in the 64th minute, and didn't look too happy when he was benched by Ralf Rangnick.
"I actually thought Marcus Rashford carried a threat yesterday," Crook said. "He had shots on goal in the first half, and I did not understand the decision to take him off.
"Manchester United need to put an arm around the shoulder and try and get him back to his best. Rangnick taking him off after an hour is only going to shatter his confidence even more.
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"It is almost exactly three years ago when Man United lost 4-0 at Goodison Park. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came out and said some of these players won't be here next year.
"Well, nine of the 11 that started that game are still United players, and six of them played yesterday - in three years we are still wasting our time!
"Unless ten Hag has some guarantees that he will be allowed to completely revamp the dressing room, that he will get final say on transfers, I just don't see how it can work.
"It is a brilliant run club in Ajax, [but] he will walk in to an absolute shambles at Manchester United."
Crook also hit out at Ronaldo, with police confirming they are investigating the incident with the Portuguese superstar accused of assaulting a young Everton fan.
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He added: "Ronaldo is filmed knocking a mobile phone out of a young supporter's hand and admitted that on social media, and has invited the fan to go and watch a match at Old Trafford.
"What are you doing? You're supposed to be an ambassador and one of the best footballers in the world.
"Why are you so petulant with reacting like that to a defeat? That moment caught on camera is almost a microcosm of Manchester United as a football club.
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"That is the sense of entitlement that Ronaldo and his teammates have had all season.
"Get rid of them all!"
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