ESPN pundit slams Man United manager Erik ten Hag for his decision

September 17, 2024Ligue 1

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been criticised for his decision to not start Manuel Ugarte against Southampton.

The Red Devils managed to beat the Saints 3-0 after an earlier scare when the hosts won a penalty which was eventually saved by Andre Onana.

However, with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, Ten Hag’s side comfotably won the match in the end against the newly promoted side.

Ugarte was expected to start the match but the manager decided to keep him on the bench and introduced him in the second half.

ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop has slammed Ten Hag’s decision to not start the new signing in a relatively easier match.

Speaking on ESPN FC’s YouTube channel, Hislop stated that Ten Hag should have started the midfielder in this match as adapting in the more difficult fixtures moving forward will be tough for the former PSG midfielder.

He said:

“For me, why not stick Ugarte in? You’re not going to go long-term with [Christian] Eriksen, you’re not going to go long-term with Casemiro, and it’s about a weaker opponent in Southampton – which they were.

“I don’t get it. And the reason to say I don’t get it is to start the season, he brings in [Noussair] Mazraoui and [Matthijs] De Ligt. He starts with Mazraoui with no question, and I’m not on the training ground so I’m not exactly seeing that Ten Hag is seeing.

Manuel Ugarte made his debut for Man United in the second half against Southampton. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)