‘They’ll sack Ten Hag’ – Ex-Liverpool star makes stunning Man Utd claim

Former Liverpool star Jose Enrique expects Erik ten Hag to be sacked should Manchester United fail to get into the top four this term.

The Red Devils boss is once again under pressure after his side were embarrassingly unable to muster more than a 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in the Champions League. Though results in the Premier League have improved, the performances in the Champions League have been an unmitigated disaster.

United face Newcastle on Saturday evening in what is set to be a very difficult match-up for Ten Hag’s side. The Magpies are coming off a spectacular 4-1 win over Chelsea and they will be out for blood after feeling robbed of three points against PSG in Europe during the week.

When these two sides faced off in the Carabao Cup in November, Eddie Howe’s men completely dominated the Red Devils on home soil, running out 3-0 victors. It was a defeat that ramped the pressure on Ten Hag up to eleven and the Magpies will be keen to do similar on Saturday evening.

Ex-Liverpool and Newcastle defender Jose Enrique, who has not shied away from voicing some controversial opinions since retiring, weighed in on the state of Man Utd prior to the match.

What did Enrique say?

Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, the Spaniard said: “Manchester United had a good game against Everton [3-0 win] the other day, that is true. However, that is just one result and when you look at the team and how much money the club has spent since Erik ten Hag arrived, I still don’t see a team that can finish in the top four.”

“They only got in the top four last year because other teams were poor, but now Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa are all there challenging for it. I don’t think United will finish in the top four this season and should that be the case, I think they will sack Ten Hag. When I look at all the other big-name managers in the league, Ten Hag still stands out to me as the one who will be sacked first.”

“I think Newcastle will beat Manchester United on Saturday. What could work in United’s favour is that Newcastle are struggling to maintain their intensity whilst playing midweek as well, but the game is at St James’ Park, which is always a huge boost and the atmosphere alone will make it very tough for United. I also believe that Newcastle will finish above United at the end of the season.”