Erik ten Hag lacks the charisma to lift his flagging Manchester United team and it's hard to see players raising their game for him, according to Jamie Carragher.
United languish seventh in the Premier League table and are in danger of being cut adrift from the race for Champions League qualification.
Ten Hag's side are also out of Europe and the Carabao Cup, with the Dutch coach pinning his hopes on a good FA Cup run to ease the pressure on him.
Former England and Liverpool defender Carragher has compared Ten Hag to Rafael Benitez when it comes to personality.
'My worry with Ten Hag is that when I was looking at him last season, he reminded me a bit of Benitez,' Carragher told the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
'He didn't have great charisma, in press conferences he's very straight and looked like he didn't want to be there - Benitez was similar, but he was top drawer on the training pitch.
'I thought that was Ten Hag last season when United were doing well, that he really knows the game but hasn't got a huge personality.
'So if he isn't getting stuff on the pitch tactically well, then there isn't much else because I don't see the players loving him or lifting their game.'
Carragher also questioned whether Ten Hag's assistant coach Steve McClaren - who was right-hand man to Sir Alex Ferguson over two decades ago - has influenced the way United play.
He added: 'The reason I say that is because when you talk about the style of play, it's probably the style of play that we all played.
'Sometimes you might play in Europe, counter-attacking, or you play a small team at home, and you know you are going to have lots of the ball. United feel like it's football from our day, 20 years ago.
'The first couple of games they played Brighton and Brentford [last season] and it was [David] De Gea trying to get on the ball, he was struggling on the ball, it was Christian Eriksen coming really deep to receive it.
'He [Ten Hag] wanted Frenkie de Jong who's a real footballing midfielder, and he went away from that and had great success last season.
'Great spell, won a cup, got to another cup final, did well in Europe, so I don't know if there was something that, with Steve McClaren being at Manchester United, being there under Sir Alex Ferguson as well, almost saying this is the way Manchester United play.'
United pick up their FA Cup campaign after the winter break with a visit to League Two side Newport County, before tricky league assignments against Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa.
On the same podcast, Keane suggested opponents no longer fear coming to Old Trafford after United suffered seven losses on home turf during the first-half of the season.
Keane added: 'United are missing something - a bit of belief, confidence, chopping and changing where they are lacking goals - it doesn't matter what team you're playing for, you end up in No Man's Land.
'They aren't a pressing team, they aren't brilliant at dominating, they are not a brilliant physical team, they aren't unbelievable at set-pieces.
'It looks like they [the United players] are all hanging in there. Last year, we gave them praise when they won the [Carabao] Cup final, but then they lost in another [the FA Cup] final, getting well beat by Manchester City.
'It could almost be the same scenario this year - fifth place is available for somebody to get into the Champions League, and they've had a bit of luck with their FA Cup draw.
'As much as they are struggling, in football you have to hang in there. They look like they are surviving games.
'It will be the same this season, they could win the FA Cup.'
Pibbekorz
1
Carragher is so obsessed with man united ,u were a useless defender that gave away so many penalties, pls find something else to do ,u stupid spitting bug
Sorman101
0
Most of you think ten hag wasn’t good enough for man.u can anyone tell me since when sir Alex have leave is Role has Manchester United manager can anyone name a manager that stay in man.u for 3 years hell no these players we sack this one too plays good for a season after that start playing rubbish again and get the coach sack
Baobmprsty
0
carragher talks rubbishy and selfishly
He's right ten hag is so shit
boweklosuy
0
Agreed!
cuzdeiklru
0
carragher talks rubbishy and selfishly
biucdiu
0
glazer them going to bring man u epl championships in the next 3 yrs
Zocceluyz
3
Your comment is out of order. Satan making comments on what is the routine in heaven?! I shudder!! stupid post
Loyacekmty
0
Carragher’s point makes sense . I don’t know if his right but it makes sense😂
To be sincere this is the first time he is saying something meaningful I see no McClaren in the board to old for it
dibingraj
0
Take a banana and put on his mouth Bledy carragher
😅
dibingraj
1
Take a banana and put on his mouth Bledy carragher
EcriPhillips
5
this type of issue have been in the club already,, he is trying to create a knew system that needs time and concentration, from this he Will gain experience then becomes the best manager of the club, he has showed it already and its not easy
zupdekpsy
3
Carragher’s point makes sense . I don’t know if his right but it makes sense😂
Pekcdelmoy
1
carragher go and couch , leave prayer and couch only , all what you no is to talk go and couch and let see how you are going to be carry trophy back to back. pls keep that your wide mouth to your seif you old fool .
adedefender
1
Stupid pundit. During Ten Hag's first year that he brought Man Utd back to the CL, you didn't talk of lack of charisma. Did Mourinho lack the charisma too?
Kesadlor
1
ten hag owns a super huge refrigerator to store unwanted players
doteiknos
1
All talk. Man U legends