Former United assistant explains differences with Erik ten Hag: Passion and Cristiano Ronaldo | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag’s former assistant Benni McCarthy claims the Dutchman lacks “passion” after spending two seasons under his leadership at Manchester United.

The 54-year-old is under huge pressure following Manchester United’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

After a slow start to the season, the media are beginning to ask whether Ten Hag will be sacked or not in the coming weeks.

United are 13th in the Premier League and without a win in three matches across all competitions. They have two away trips this week with games against FC Porto and Aston Villa.

Former Blackburn and West Ham striker, McCarthy, has pulled no punches in his assessment of the United manager.

Speaking to Zero Zero, he said: “He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I.

“I think that was one of the difficulties that the team and the players encountered.”

He added: “Before I joined the team, I always had to communicate my thoughts to the head coach, which is normal.

“For someone like me, with strong convictions, it’s not easy. Erik always had the final say.”

McCarthy also spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo’s fallout with Ten Hag and how the relationship broke down.

“If we work as a team and then let Cristiano do what he needs to do in his position, because he is the best in the world at it, that’s ideal.

“I think Manchester United wasted a great opportunity to use Cristiano in the right way. But I was not the head coach and I could not be the one to make those decisions.”

Revealing some of the standout players he worked with at United, McCarthy added: “Lisandro Martinez. He has the passion, the fighting spirit, the personality. He can play for any team in the world because he has the right mentality.

“Besides Lisandro… Marcus Rashford. He’s getting back to his best and could hurt FC Porto with some moves.

“Finally, Alejandro Garnacho. I really like Garnacho, but he needs to play more regularly. I don’t know if there’s a problem between him and Erik, but he hasn’t been a regular starter.

“Oh, and just one more: Amad Diallo. An incredible, incredible player, still little known. He defends and attacks well, always makes the best decisions and knows how to score goals.”

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