FORMER Manchester United defender Wes Brown has come out in defence of Erik ten Hag in a new interview.
Pressure is growing on the United boss following Saturday’s 2-2 draw away at Bournemouth.
GettyWes Brown has called for the United board to be patient with Ten Hag[/caption]
The Red Devils were poor again and lucky to escape with a draw.
The fallout of the result also saw more player unrest as Alejandro Garnacho liked a series of tweets criticising his manager.
The result leaves United seventh in the table and on course for their worst finish in the post-Fergie era.
But Brown, who came through the academy at United under Sir Alex Ferguson says now is not the time to rip it up and start again.
He told In The Zone that he sees the FA Cup as crucial to saving Ten Hag’s job.
Brown said: “The FA Cup could be massive. Erik had a fantastic start last season, finishing well in the league and getting to two finals – winning one.
“United have a great opportunity to get to the FA Cup final, winning it will be a big boost. Manchester United are used to winning trophies so it’d be massive for the manager, it’s one he’ll want to win or he could be in trouble.”
But he also urged the board to give Ten Hag time in order to put things right at United, saying: “I don’t think that Manchester United are the sort of club that should be changing the manager, they should have a respectful three or four years to get what they want done.
2010 Manchester UnitedBrown spent 15 years at United[/caption]
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“They have to give him one more season, it’s simple. I think the manager has done enough in the first two seasons to secure another season.
“I like Erik ten Hag. United have had big-name managers in and it’s all been the same, so something is not right somewhere. You have to give the manager time because if you want to kick on and injuries have stopped him doing what he’s wanted to do this year.
“Lisandro Martinez is a big miss, he changed things a little bit for Manchester United, he brings power to the defensive line – just like Varane.
“This season is a tough watch, it’s not brilliant now if you’re a Manchester United fan. Last season was positive with a good league finish and two finals and a cup, this is where they want to be.”
Brown played 336 games for United between 1996 and 2011 before leaving for Sunderland.
He recently opened up about his bankruptcy which he says was caused by having “the wrong people around him”.
He said things “came to a head” after his divorce from Real Housewives of Cheshire star Leanne Brown in 2022 due to a number of ill-advised investments.