Man United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane are accused of ‘giving Erik ten Hag an easy ride’ by Sky Sports predecessor Richard Keys – as he says the job is ‘clearly too big’ for manager

• United’s dismal start to the season continued as they were beaten 3-0 by City
• Ten Hag has come under increasing pressure amid his side’s struggles
• Click HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ 

Richard Keys has warned the Manchester United job is ‘clearly too big’ for Erik ten Hag as he accused pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane of going easy on the Dutchman.

United boss Ten Hag has come under mounting pressure amid his side’s dismal start to the season, which continued with a 3-0 humbling by arch-rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The loss to City means United have been beaten in five of their opening 10 league games for the first time since 1986.

Ten Hag’s men are already eight points adrift of the top four and are also facing the possibility of an early exit from the Champions League.

United’s board are reportedly still backing the Dutchman but he has been criticised over a lack of style and identity after spending more than £386million on new players.

Erik ten Hag has come under mounting pressure amid Man United’s dismal start to the season

Gary Neville and Roy Keane have been accused of going easy on the under-fire United boss

United were soundly beaten by City in another one-sided Manchester derby at Old Trafford

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Speaking on Sky Sports after the Manchester derby, Neville placed the blame on United’s current situation on the Glazers’ ownership of the club and the ‘toxic’ culture at Old Trafford.

‘So we can’t analyse anything Erik ten Hag does or any performance of Manchester United?’ Carragher snapped back.

And former Sky Sports presenter Keys agreed with Carragher, suggesting Neville and Keane would have ‘destroyed’ the likes of former United boss Jose Mourinho if they were in the same predicament.

‘There’s a lot of anger out there now, although the class of ‘92 continue to give him an easy ride,’ Keys wrote in his weekly blog. 

‘I don’t agree with Jamie Carragher often, but he’s right when he says the guys would‘ve destroyed Mourinho – or similar – by now.’ 

Keys went on to claim Ten Hag was ‘deluded’ after the United boss said his team ‘played well’ in the first half of the derby, despite their largely passive display.

‘Clearly the job is too big for Ten Hag. Clearly he’s lost his players,’ Keys added.

‘Clearly his ‘game plans’ are nonsense. Does he really believe that Utd were ‘toe to toe’ with City in the first-half? Clearly he’s deluded if he does. 

Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys believes the United job is ‘too big’ for Ten Hag

‘That was City’s easiest three points of the season. Brighton made them work harder. And Wolves. Even Sheffield Utd gave them more of a run for their money.’

Ten Hag’s decision to substitute £72million striker Rasmus Hojlund in the 73rd minute of Sunday’s game at Old Trafford was loudly booed by fans inside the ground, while supporters also questioned his team selection after Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon were both left on the bench.

Ten Hag later said he had opted to start Victor Lindelof at left back and Jonny Evans next to Harry Maguire for tactical reasons. 

United have also lacked any discernible style and identity on the pitch this season, although they have had to contend with injuries to a significant number of first-team stars. 

Ten Hag has spent close to £400m on new players since his arrival at Old Trafford but two of his big-name signings – Mason Mount, who cost £60m, and £82m winger Antony – did not even feature in the starting XI for the derby.

Ten Hag’s decision to substitute striker Rasmus Hojlund against City was loudly booed by fans

Keys added: ‘He hasn’t presided over a mess that he inherited as some claim – he’s created one. 

‘£410m spent on bang ordinary players – most of whom can’t even get in his starting line-up. It’s a shambles. “Hojlund might turn out to be a good player” I can hear you saying. I agree – but for £70m he needs to be a good player now. Utd can’t afford to wait. ‘

Speaking after the match, Ten Hag said: ‘First half, we played very well. The game plan went on how we wanted. We defended very good. They almost didn’t create – one big save from Andre in that start. We had two or three breaks, we had to take benefit from it.

‘We have to take more from it, but the penalty is changing the game. I don’t have a comment on it. I don’t have a comment.’

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