Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has taken a swipe at two Manchester United stars after claiming that “proper players” would not have acted like “schoolkids.”
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag saw his side suffer a humiliating 4-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday.
The under-fire Dutchman has faced mounting speculation over his long-term future at Old Trafford amid a turbulent second season at the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag oversaw United’s humiliating exit out of the Champions League earlier this season after the Red Devils finished bottom of Group A.
United’s Carabao Cup title defence ended in the fourth round of the competition, while the Red Devils’ top-four Premier League challenge fell flat.
Ten Hag’s side will be without Champions League football for the following campaign, with United facing an uphill battle to secure European football altogether.
However, the former Ajax boss has reached his second consecutive FA Cup final, as United will face defending champions Manchester City at Wembley on 25th May.
Souness sends message to Man Utd players
Manchester United have been heavily criticised this season after falling well short of expectations, including their disappointing run of form in the Premier League.
Graeme Souness has insisted that United players need to “take pride” in themselves and “shouldn’t be concerned” with the speculation around Erik ten Hag’s future.
“They shouldn’t be concerned with uncertainty about the manager, take pride in yourself,” he wrote in his column for The Daily Mail.
“They are playing in front of a crowd that has known a lot of success and still they are not being booed off every week.
“That fantastic support must be shaking their head at what they are witnessing this season.
“If nothing else, as a player, do your best for them. Don’t start whingeing about training or the manager and his tactics.”
Souness slams two Man Utd stars
Souness also made his feelings clear on two United players after what he saw following the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Crystal Palace.
Antony and Andre Onana were both spotted holding their hands over their mouths and appeared to be whispering to Mason Mount after United’s defeat.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was among those who was critical of what he saw, with the Sky Sports pundit pulling no punches towards Antony.
Souness called out the likes of Antony and Andre Onana for not acting like “proper players” and behaving like “schoolkids” by covering their mouths.
“This lot don’t seem to understand they have to do the hard yards first,” he said.
“It’s no use pointing fingers, shrugging shoulders and whispering to each other as they walk off the pitch at Selhurst Park like schoolkids covering their mouths in case someone lip reads what great information they have. Who cares?
“Maybe if they were proper players we would be more interested in what they had to say.”
