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Manchester United chose to part ways with the 51-year-old on Monday - with one former player sharing his views on the matter
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One Manchester United cult hero has had his say on Erik ten Hag leaving the club. The Red Devils parted ways with the 51-year-old on Monday, bringing an end to the Dutchman's tenure after two-and-a-half years. Ten Hag won both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup in back-to-back seasons during his time at Old Trafford – but with his brand of football often confusing, with minority owners INEOS now wanting to move on Previously successful with Ajax in the Netherlands, Ten Hag often found himself dealing with issues away from the field, with one of his former Manchester United players hitting back after he was released by the club. ? ?October 28, 2024 It was blatantly clear that there was bad blood between Ten Hag and David De Gea after the former chose to withdraw the now Fiorentina goalkeeper's contract offer back in 2023. Making it obvious he wished to bring in a shot-stopper who had better distribution, Andre Onana was bought that same summer, with De Gea left out in the cold by the club he spent 12 years with. However, following news of Ten Hag's dismissal, De Gea, in typical fashion, took to social media by posting a 'chef kiss' emoji on his platforms, in a mysterious but clear dig at the former Manchester United boss. Four Four Two understands a large group of Manchester United's senior players were irked by the treatment of De Gea, especially given his long-standing service to the club. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Other users on X, formerly known as Twitter, hit back at De Gea, but some suggested he could simply be responding to the news his Spanish colleague Rodri is being tipped to win the Ballon d'Or. It remains to be seen just what De Gea meant, but given this is not the first time he has taken to social media to provide cryptic clues, so we can all guess who this particular message was aimed at. In Four Four Two's view, Ten Hag was right to let De Gea leave the club, given his brand of football was never going to be suited to the playing styles seen by the Spaniard. Manchester United are in a spot of bother, but return to Premier League action against Chelsea this weekend, hoping to bounce back from their defeat last time out against West Ham United. Matthew is a Freelance Journalist and has racked up bylines for Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, GOAL and SPORTbible to name a few. A long-term sufferer of Scunthorpe United, he currently resides in the north-west after escaping the smog of North Lincolnshire. Manchester City lining up superb Ilkay Gundogan replacement: report Manchester United to pay Erik ten Hag eye-watering sum after sacking Dutchman: report Ballon d'Or 2024: The full standings Four Four Two is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. ©
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