Erik ten Hag blasted for Manchester United trophy comments amid Mikel Arteta comparison

Erik ten Hag has been blasted for his comments about Manchester United’s trophies, which included a comparison to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure as Manchester United manager after a series of poor results have left the squad languishing in the Premier League and Europa League tables.

They currently sit 12th out of 20 teams in the domestic league and 21st out of 36 in the European competition, leaving the side playing serious catch-up with the rest of their rivals.

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While many have questioned Ten Hag surrounding his side’s poor record, the Dutch manager has consistently pointed to the two trophies they have won so far as proof of their success.

During his first season in charge, the side lifted the Carabao Cup, and last campaign, they defeated Manchester City on the final day of the season to win the FA Cup.

But, according to former Liverpool striker John Barnes, consistently poor results in the Premier League and in Europe prove that he is not building a good side, as trophies are not the be-all and end-all of measuring a campaign’s success.

“Well, if football is all about winning trophies, then Ten Hag has been better than Mikel Arteta, but is that statement true? Of course, it isn’t,” Barnes said via Football365.

“Erik ten Hag hasn’t done a better job at Manchester United than Mikel Arteta has at Arsenal because he’s won a League and FA Cup. Management success is not just about silverware.

“Liverpool’s best season under Jurgen Klopp was when we finished second in the league on 100 points to Man City, we lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid, but it was our best season.

“It’s not about silverware, it’s about winning every single week. Being a team that consistently challenges for the biggest prizes. If you get 100 points losing two matches and someone else wins the league, you’ve had a great season.

“You can win silverware by winning the FA Cup because you’ve played Coventry in the semi-final, you can win the League Cup by playing nobody.

“Is it successful for a club like Manchester United, with its resources, to win the FA Cup and finish eighth? It’s that success? Success is winning football matches, and you can’t ask any more than that from Arteta.”

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