Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag
Does Erik ten Hag get too much stick? (Picture: Getty Images)

Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown feels Erik ten Hag gets too much criticism and reckons the players need to pull their weight more.

It has been a very mixed start to the season for the Red Devils, with two wins and two defeats in their opening four Premier League games.

A 3-0 win at Southampton on Saturday eased pressure on Ten Hag and he will hope for another comfortable victory on Tuesday night when United host Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

There have been questions over whether there has been much or any improvement from last season, but Brown wants to see more from those in red shirts, rather than the man in the dugout getting all the stick.

‘I go to every Manchester United home game and lots of away games and on their day under Erik ten Hag they can be excellent, it’s hard to explain and I think he probably gets too much stick,’ Brown said, speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Champions League betting.

‘United can be excellent in one half and in the next half you’re wondering what has happened. I’d say it’s not all down to the manager. Yes the manager has to get the players up for it but on the pitch it’s down to those who are out there.

‘It’s ultimately up to the players on the pitch to do their jobs, with the new players coming in now the manager has a focus on really bedding them in and getting them to start on a regular basis.’

Manchester United's new signing Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte was unveiled as a Manchester United player earlier this month (Picture: Getty Images)

On those players he wants to see more from, Brown has named the starting XI he wants to see on a regular basis from Ten Hag, with Luke Shaw returning to fitness and new signing Manuel Ugarte coming in.

‘For me, Manchester United’s best XI would be Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Diogo Dalot in front of Andre Onana,’ continued the former England defender.

‘It’s about finding that consistency and I think they would gel together if they had a run of games and all stayed fit. Those centre-halves would both dig in.

‘I’d have Joshua Zirkzee up front who I have been impressed with, for his size he is very good with his feet. I’d stick with Marcus Rashford on the left and have Bruno Fernandes in the 10, having the freedom to create and score in between the lines, that’s where he plays his best football.

‘I’d like to see Kobbie Mainoo and if Manuel Ugarte is fit. He has the experience to be able to break up opposition attacks and it’s good to have that competition now. Ugarte hasn’t been brought in to sit on the bench, he’ll be wanting to play and hopefully he’s fit after the break.

‘On the right I’d go with Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo has done a lot to try and get a starting spot for I’d stick with Garnacho for now.’

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