Theo Walcott has hit out at Erik ten Hag after reports suggested that the Dutchman had a role in a decision taken by Manchester United last week.
It has been a pretty tough season at Old Trafford, with United still able to finish as low as ninth in the Premier League and just about stumbling into the FA Cup final after beating Coventry City in the semi-final.
There are plenty of questions over what the future holds for Erik ten Hag. And it seems that many within the Manchester United hierarchy were not in the mood for celebrating this campaign.
According to a report from The Athletic at the weekend, Manchester United have cancelled their end of season awards, with ten Hag consulted on the decision.
Theo Walcott criticises Erik ten Hag after Manchester United cancel end of season awards
One of the reasons was the view that they need to concentrate on the upcoming FA Cup final, but clearly, their woeful league performance will have been a factor in the decision.
Of course, the reports came out on the same day that Manchester United Women won the FA Cup with a 4-0 win over Tottenham, so it is not as though there has been a lack of success across the board.
And speaking on The Monday Night Club, Theo Walcott suggested that he is not a fan of the decision taken by the club.
“We’re teaching this generation there’s no rewards, there’s nothing to look forward to, I don’t know, I think it’s always important to see these players look up to their heroes or the people they idolise and to be in that environment,” he said.
“And you’re right when you say the ladies’ team has been successful, it’s not just the men’s team we’re talking about. We’re talking about as a club in general, and the staff, the amount of work the staff will have done behind the closed doors that no-one even considers to talk about, from the kitchen staff to the cleaning to everything, it’s for them as well, that’s the bit that people forget.
“So I’m actually really disappointed that ten Hag’s actually done that, because I think you’ve got to look at the bigger picture, it’s not just about the 21-man squad, however many players there are, it’s the whole bigger picture in my opinion.”
Damned if they do, damned if they don’t
Ultimately, United were probably coming in for criticism whatever they did. Certainly, the positives from the men’s team can probably be counted on one hand – particularly if they, as many expect, go on and lose the cup final to their neighbours.
But this decision has perhaps drawn unnecessary additional attention to them, and probably led to some ridicule from some fans of rival clubs.
Having said that, the new United hierarchy probably want to drive standards up within ten Hag’s side, and thus, they may feel that the squad have not done enough to deserve this kind of event.
The fact that this decision had to be considered reminds everyone just how far United have fallen over the last decade.