A Manchester United dressing room contingent has “lost confidence and belief” in Erik ten Hag, it has been claimed.
United have endured a dismal campaign, having already crashed out of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup and fallen to eighth in the Premier League.
And with Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to assume control of all football matters at Old Trafford in a matter of weeks the pressure is ramping up on Ten Hag.
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While the Dutchman’s first season at United brought progress and a first trophy in six years, this term he appears to be battling a dressing room revolt.
The Athletic claimed that United players began “grumbling” after being forced to do too much training in pre-season.
Such murmurings of discontent have allegedly developed into a loss of “belief and confidence” in Ten Hag this season.
The report added that United players are not happy with the way the club has been run, with many reportedly feeling the Glazers’ 13-month search for new investment has not helped matters.
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Nevertheless, not every member of the dressing room is said to share that opinion.
Some reportedly remain very much behind Ten Hag despite his struggle to inspire a turnaround in fortunes, while others have “gripes” about the approach he has taken this term.
Ten Hag has consistently fought back against reports of an unhappy dressing room this term, claiming that while results have not been the best his side’s performances show his players are fighting for him.
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Ten Hag said in a press conference: "Oh yes, I am sure, you can see for instance the comeback against Brentford, the Burnley game, the Fulham game, every time the team is there, showed great character, great determination, resilience so we are together.
"You can see you can’t play such great football as we did recently without unity... There are always players who aren't playing who are less happy. But there are no issues. If the players have a different opinion, I will listen.
"But they haven’t told me - maybe one or two. Not in the dressing room. Of course, there are a lot of rumours but it is not that we get distracted by it. We are on a journey, a route.
"We know we are in transition but we are in the right direction, we construct a team, develop it, the team is progressing, young players are coming in and you see the potential of how they can contribute to a successful Manchester United team for the future."
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Football, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League