Bacary Sagna believes Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag “needs to be given more time” by the club.

The Dutchman is under massive pressure after a very disappointing second season in charge at Old Trafford. However, speaking to Paddy Power, Sagna claimed there are parallels between ten Hag and Mikel Arteta’s difficult start to life at Arsenal:

“There is no momentum at Manchester United. If it was easy for any coach, it would be different. Losing 4-0 to Crystal Palace, people will question Erik ten Hag and his ability to train the team, but it seemed like the United players have given up on this season.”

“From one season to another, it can be very different – we saw it with Arsenal where people were demanding that Mikel Arteta step down but look where he is now. I think Ten Hag needs to be given more time, forget about this season, and just try to finish it on a positive note.”

“I would not get rid of him just because they have had a bad season, he’s not the one on the pitch – of course, he’s making the selections, but he’s selecting good players. If it’s against you, it’s against you – and it seems to be against United this season.”

Arteta was on the verge of the sack not long ago

Arsenal lost their first three matches of the 2021/22 season, losing away at Brentford on the opening day, being defeated at home by Chelsea before being thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City.

The Gunners were rooted to the bottom of the table and there were calls for Arteta to be sacked. However, he survived and guided his team to a fifth-place finish. They challenged for the title the next season. Considering the mess that United are in, you wouldn’t argue that the same thing could happen to the Red Devils but it does give pause for thought on whether ten Hag should be dispensed with.

United have been linked with plenty of managers

If ten Hag does lose his job in the coming weeks, there are a number of names that have been suggested as potential replacements.

However, former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is believed to be the frontrunner and he spoke about his future earlier this week.