Erik ten Hag reportedly felt that he was 'let down' by Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Antony during his time at Manchester United, with the Dutchman losing his job on Monday morning.
The 54-year-old kept his job over the summer and was handed a contract extension until June 2026, but a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign led to the Red Devils making a change in the dug-out.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is currently in charge on an interim basis, and the Dutchman guided the team to a 5-2 success over Leicester City in the last-16 stage of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim is widely expected to be confirmed as the club's new manager in the near future, although the Portuguese may not officially arrive at Old Trafford until the November international break.
According to the Daily Star, Ten Hag believed that he was 'let down' by a number of senior players during his time at the club, including Rashford, Casemiro and Antony.
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Ten Hag 'felt let down' by Rashford, Casemiro, Antony
Rashford enjoyed an outstanding 2022-23 campaign for Man United, scoring 30 times in all competitions, but he only managed eight goals during a disappointing 2023-24 season.
There have been signs of the Englishman rediscovering his best form this term, although he has only scored once in nine Premier League outings in 2024-25, and Ten Hag is believed to have been frustrated by the forward's ongoing struggles.
Casemiro also had an excellent 2022-23 season after arriving from Real Madrid, but the Brazil international found it difficult to show his best form last term and was linked with an exit over the summer.
The midfielder ultimately remained at Old Trafford, though, and he has now scored three times in his last two matches, including a brace in the EFL Cup last-16 contest with Leicester on Wednesday night.
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Antony has been Ten Hag's biggest disappointment
Ten Hag was the driving force behind Man United paying £86m to sign Antony from Ajax in September 2022.
However, the 24-year-old has been unable to make his mark at Old Trafford, only managing 12 goals and five assists in 87 appearances in all competitions, and his struggles at the club have continued this season.
Antony has another three years left to run on his contract with the 20-time English champions, but it is understood that he is not in the plans of expected new head coach Amorim, with a departure therefore extremely likely in 2025.
A number of Premier League clubs are believed to have been in touch with Man United to discuss a possible loan deal for Antony, although his £200,000-a-week wages will make a departure difficult.
Matt Law
