Three Manchester United players need to step up for Erik ten Hag to avoid “embarrassment”

Manchester United, after dropping eight points in their last five Premier League fixtures, have dragged themselves into a race for the top four.

What seemed like a dead cert with 10 fixtures to go, a sudden drop in Manchester United‘s abilities away from home see them sitting just one point inside the top four positions, with Liverpool hot on their tails for the Champions League spots.

With Champions League qualification outlined as a priority one for Erik ten Hag during his first season in charge, United currently have four fixtures left to grab themselves qualification into Europe’s Premire footballing competition.

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Speaking to indiabetting, former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has spoken about how United have managed to drop themselves into the top four battle, citing the Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle United as the pivotal turning point in the season.

“I think we already saw in the League Cup final but Man United won that one and victories cover over cracks, so people didn’t really talk about it,” he explained. “After that League Cup final, everything has been poor.”

Parker also named three players who will need to step up in these final four games in order for Ten Hag’s squad to avoid “embarassment”.

“So, Erik ten Hag has definitely overachieved and everything that he can do now is… To hope, actually. Hope that the players he can count on will perform in the next games, and here I’m talking about Casemiro, Eriksen and Lindelof.”

“Maybe he needs to get some younger players into the team because they are hungry and want to win something despite their lack of experience.

“If that happens, Man United should get 12 points in the last four games, otherwise this season will end up as an embarrassment for the players.”

Speaking fruther on the potential loss of Champions League qualification, Parker explained how dissapointing that would be for Ten Hag and his club.

“I think it would be a major disappointment for the club to miss out on the top four. But I think it will affect Erik ten Hag even more if he is anything that I suspect that he is. He seems ambitious and to achieve Champions League football would be amazing.”

“Right now, we can’t say that the manager has achieved great things. The trophy itself in the Carabao Cup doesn’t mean much to the club to be perfectly honest. I also don’t think that he cares about that, he is bigger than that trophy.”

“Erik ten Hag will be more disappointed than the players, especially because I personally don’t think it will bother the players that much. But from a club point of view, the financial aspect and so on it will be a major disappointment.”