Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag told to keep his mouth closed
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been told to ‘keep his mouth closed’ by former Liverpool player Steve Nicol.
Ten Hag became Manchester United manager this summer and took charge of his first game on Tuesday as the Red Devils beat rivals Liverpool 4-0 in a pre-season friendly.
Following the 4-0 victory over Liverpool, Ten Hag admitted Manchester United conceded too many chances and added that it will ‘take time’ until the team are playing at their full potential.
However, Nicol, who won four top-flight titles and three FA Cups at Anfield, was not impressed with Ten Hag’s comments.
“When you’re the coach and you’re sat in a press conference, you don’t answer everybody’s questions. You don’t,” Nicol told ESPN FC.
“You tell them what you want them to know. You don’t answer questions. You don’t be open and honest.
“He’s shown a bit of naivety here, answering questions like that, open and honestly. He’s got no obligation to tell them anything.
“Keep your cards close to your chest, tell them nothing. Get through your press conference and move on.
“Three games into the season, it’ll be ‘Why did you make Harry Maguire captain when you knew he was rubbish last year?’
“I’m sick of seeing it. Keep your mouth closed. It’s easy. Someone will need to have a word in his ear.
“Tell them what you want them to know, not what they want to know. Stick to that, and you’ll be fine.”