Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney both had the same message for Sir Jim Ratcliffe after Arsenal secured a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils slipped to their second consecutive Premier League defeat on Sunday, with the Gunners keeping their title challenge alive.
Leandro Trossard scored the opener at Old Trafford in the first half and Manchester United were unable to produce an all-important equaliser against the Gunners.
Erik ten Hag’s men appeared toothless in attack and United did very little to trouble Arsenal, who picked up an important three points away from home.
Mikel Arteta’s side returned to the top of the Premier League table and are one point clear of Manchester City, though Pep Guardiola’s men have a match in hand.
The defeat to Arsenal only further piled the pressure on Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, who has been under-fire for United’s lacklustre Premier League season.
Keane talks Ten Hag and Man Utd
Erik ten Hag has endured an up-and-down campaign at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman’s long-term future at the club shrouded in mystery.
The former Ajax boss has faced immense pressure over Manchester United’s lack of consistency and run of form in his second season at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at the Premier League club as a co-owner has only added to the uncertainty around Ten Hag’s future at United.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the Arsenal match, Roy Keane admitted that he is hopeful that Ineos chief Ratcliffe does not axe Ten Hag from United.
“I hope he’s given more time and they get to the summer, they can regroup and restructure the club, or whatever that might be,” he said, as per The Daily Mail.
“There’s huge problems at the club. But I hope he’s given a chance to get things right.
“Because last year there was some positives, we have to be honest with that.
“And they have a FA Cup final coming up, and if they manage to beat Man City, it’s going to be very, very difficult, but there’s huge challenges he’s facing, and he’s under huge pressure.”
Rooney in agreement with Man Utd legend Keane
Despite a turbulent campaign at Old Trafford, Ten Hag could still end the campaign on a high note after reaching the FA Cup final for the second consecutive season.
United have two Premier League matches remaining – against Newcastle and Brighton – before the FA Cup final on 25th May at Wembley.
Ten Hag’s men will face FA Cup holders Manchester City in the final, having previously lost to Pep Guardiola’s side in the 2023 final at Wembley.
Wayne Rooney was on punditry for the United vs Arsenal match and the former Birmingham City boss dropped his two cents on Ten Hag’s future at the club.
The 38-year-old former United striker, much like Keane, wants Ten Hag to receive more time at Old Trafford under Red Devils co-owner Ratcliffe and Ineos.
“I personally hope they do give him time because there are a lot of problems at the club,” he said.
“Recruitment is massive and it hasn’t been good enough, so I do think he gets time to do it right.
“But we’ve seen it before, we won the cup final in 2016 and Louis van Gaal lost his job so you never know.”