Manchester United must sack Erik ten Hag and put Steve McLaren in caretaker charge for the rest of the season, according to the club's former players Paul Scholes and Michael Owen.
The pair were speaking after Manchester United's dismal 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Ten Hag's future is under serious doubt after a poor season, with the Red Devils eighth in the table with three difficult games left to play, as well as an FA Cup final where they will be considerable underdogs against local rivals Manchester City.
Scholes said that the defeat felt like the 'final nail in the coffin' for Ten Hag and that the Dutchman is on 'borrowed time' at Old Trafford.
He told Premier League Productions: 'Tonight almost felt like a final nail in the coffin. There was a lack of knowhow in the team, a lack of effort, going to a team like Crystal Palace who are a good team and doing well, but Manchester United shouldn't be going there and doing 4-0.
'I felt for a while he might get another year and work for a club that has calmed down a little by the new owners but it doesn't feel like that now.
'I thought who is out there to replace him? With Thomas Tuchel saying he's leaving Bayern Munich, I don't think that creates a bigger problem for him (Ten Hag) as the problems are there anyway, I think it's quite plain to see that he's on borrowed time.
'Sometimes you get those moments where you think this is the end. I remember Ole Gunnar (Solskjaer) at Watford away, 4-1, it felt very similar to me, it felt like the end.'
As well as the cup final with Manchester City, United face Arsenal and Newcastle at home before finishing the Premier League season away at Brighton.
Scholes admitted that he couldn't see where United will get a win from their final three league fixtures.
Owen then raised the question of what United should do, and agreed with Scholes' response that former England manager and current assistant at Old Trafford, McLaren, should take on a caretaker manager role until the end of the season.
Scholes previously worked with McLaren at Manchester United when he was assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson, while Owen played under him for the Three Lions.
McLaren is perhaps best remembered for his time as England manager, and the picture of him standing under an umbrella, as he watched his side lose to Croatia at Wembley, which meant the Three Lions failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and led to him being sacked.
However, Owen and Scholes believe that that McLaren is not to blame for United's struggles this season, and feel that he has been frozen out by Ten Hag.
Owen said: 'There is no way his fingerprints are anywhere near that team. He is a brilliant coach and that team is not being coached at all.'
Scholes added: 'He's not touching that team. The manager must not be letting him touch that team because everyone thinks we were a great team that attacked everybody (Manchester United) but Steve McLaren put sessions on to make sure we stopped other teams, getting the distances and angles right.'
Both players then went on to say that McLaren is the best coach that they worked under during their respective playing careers.
Owen added: 'There is no way that he has anything to do with coaching that team, it's impossible because that team is absolutely clueless right the way through it.
'There is not one thing that I think 'that works' in that team. Steve McLaren is a top operator and I can only think that other people are coaching the team and he's a bystander.
'They will get smashed out of the ballpark by every team they still have to play, playing like that today. Manchester City are going to demoralise them at Wembley in front of millions of people it's embarrassing.
'Something has got to change. I think it's got to change now there are too many big games. This could decide European football next season, this is a trophy.'
Scholes went on to hit out at Ten Hag more by suggesting the club doesn't have many 'bad players' and the fault lies on the manager.
He said: 'There's not actually that many bad players at United is there? It looks like they're not being coached, when it looks like being the manager's fault. It looks like the fight has gone out of them.'
United are currently on a run of just one win in seven Premier League games, with that coming against relegated Sheffield United.
Their recent poor form means they could miss out on Europe, unless they jump back into the top seven or upset Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Katendah
0
You have said almost everything my fellow football fan, however, if I have an opportunity to speak to Scholes and Owen. I will like to ask if they will be able to manage Man utd and win games with the kind of injuries. There is no coach Man utd with the this injuries crises and win games easily. So my advice is for them to keep quiet cuz, they lack simple concept about football.
You are right bro, This coach has tried all he can, luck is that we are even on 7th position
Kipcinrs
1
Is Newcastle Man Utd that you would make such comparison. Please stop this, the media has been patient enough with Ten Haag.
Where were they when Newcastle was loosing?which patience? The English media never liked him . Fans did put him there and soon thy will be put to shame
luhadnstz
1
Only English media. We didn’t hear this when Newcastle was loosing.
Is Newcastle Man Utd that you would make such comparison. Please stop this, the media has been patient enough with Ten Haag.
rupanrstyz
0
which rest of season when the season is about to end?
Vowadeipru
1
it will be regrettable mistake to leave ETH as manager next season. recruit Carrick or tuckel.
Vowadeipru
2
please take on Carrick as manager to replace the flopped ETH .
Nuulmpry
2
2030 before man u can even challenge for a premier league title
Zucadensz
2
Ronaldo is the problem
tecikmnsz
1
And if they sack Ten Hag which coach are they bringing in? Busy blaming the coach meanwhile your team doesn't even have any dependable player. This season Doctors are to blame for Man United sluggish. The all team looks tired and can't run a mile. Injuries have finished Man United not the coach try to understand how many players are injured and those that are playing
You have said almost everything my fellow football fan, however, if I have an opportunity to speak to Scholes and Owen. I will like to ask if they will be able to manage Man utd and win games with the kind of injuries. There is no coach Man utd with the this injuries crises and win games easily. So my advice is for them to keep quiet cuz, they lack simple concept about football.
Kipcinrs
1
Only English media. We didn’t hear this when Newcastle was loosing.
Ropbceiktu
0
Winning and losing in a game is and has been, but this is bitter. If this happens, prepare for the next game and you will be punished. The next game is more important than anything.
wimlmpru
1
the whole system is a failure
Pebbekmoyz
0
The other half of Manchester at its best...
Yozaciort
0
Owen should think about Liverpool but not mud
Liverpool is already qualified to champions league next season and they are not like that clueless team call by womanchester United with their shameless coach thank god the only good things for them is that they are going to qualify to UEFA conference next season let them celebrate that
BLKBtl
0
The season is almost finish, so let him stay till the end of this season
kawdilmo
0
They should help each other
Katendah
1
And if they sack Ten Hag which coach are they bringing in? Busy blaming the coach meanwhile your team doesn't even have any dependable player. This season Doctors are to blame for Man United sluggish. The all team looks tired and can't run a mile. Injuries have finished Man United not the coach try to understand how many players are injured and those that are playing
Vaoeilos
1
Man united in life even if it's loosing
Vaoeilos
0
sack the coach and put recommended one
LovinglyRais
2
MUST SACK is now a stiff identity at Manchester United
sinblorsuy
0
Sack the coach
malone95
1
JUST DO IT
iking07
1
All this former players say shit and no support for the manager. every team will have their share of hard times.
secelnostz
2
All of a sudden McLaren’s is a big coach these men’s like to see Man U down
soplrstyz
1
What about those flops players which we all know they are bad on the pitch
Labadkotyz
1
we just need good CB like Martinez..good wing not like Antony
Rcm3545
1
keep the manager and get red of Rushford. till when do we have to sack the couches and wait for this so call English players...if rashford was not from England, you would have heard this from our so called legends...keep the coach,and bring in players who wants to play for the team not the ones,who come thing,they are bigger then the team or managers....just check the players of City,Arsenal and Liverpool....
niolmrsuyz
0
English pundits are big fool and racist
Owen should think about Liverpool but not mud
tukcdstuy
0
English pundits are big fool and racist
what u mean thats not racist they speaking facts man u is not gonna win anything with him alone
niolmrsuyz
1
English pundits are big fool and racist
bepbdntuy
0
He deserve at least FA cup final.
nobody cares about small cups,big clubs needs to win league
bepbdntuy
0
put Rooney
momenhuda
0
He deserve at least FA cup final.
luyadkpstu
0
He must get fired they is no need of keeping him
ceubdertz
1
man city is my favorite team in English premier league
TheOddOne
1
waste of money