Danny Murphy has claimed that Manchester United may have been better off appointing Gareth Southgate as their new manager rather than Erik Ten Hag.
United are undergoing big changes this summer with Ten Hag arriving from Ajax with the aim of reshaping the Red Devils into a club that can once again compete at the very top of the Premier League.
While the Dutchman is widely regarded for his tactical mindset and ability to improve young players, there have been persistent questions raised about how he will handle the transition from the Eredivisie to the Premier League, and his lack of experience coaching high-profile players like Cristiano Ronaldo.
‘I think what Ten Hag has done of course is credible, winning the league three times etc,’ Murphy told talkSPORT.
‘But he’s not managed big players at a big club, so we don’t know how he’s going to deal with that pressure.
‘Every part of his life is going to be magnified, whether he goes to the wrong shop at the wrong time, whether he drives the wrong car. Everything he does is going to be talked about.’
Because of this, the former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder suggested that he would like to have seen England boss Southgate given the chance to manage at a top Premier League side like United.
Southgate has proven to be one of the most effective man-managers in the game right now, helping guide the Three Lions to fourth place at the 2018 World Cup and runners-up at last summer’s Euros.
‘I know them [Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland], they’ve come a long way the pair of them, they’ve got a great partnership,’ Murphy added.
‘I think with what they’ve achieved at England, the way he’s managed players, big players, I think he’s evolved into a very intelligent football manager, and with Steve by his side I think they’d do a great job at a big club.
‘What United need now isn’t all about on the pitch. They’ll be judged on that but initially what do United need?
‘They need someone to bring together this squad and try and create a unity and an atmosphere and an energy that England have.’
Southgate was linked with the Old Trafford dugout following the sackings of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but has remained committed to the national team, with England one of the favourites for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
The Three Lions’ preparation for the tournament continues on Tuesday night with a trip to fierce rivals Germany in the Nations League.
MORE : Gareth Southgate warns England fans not to ‘embarrass’ the nation ahead of Germany clash
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