Thomas Tuchel issued a bleak assessment of the current Manchester United side, claiming Erik Ten Hag’s men lacked the “personality” and “quality” to save their Champions League campaign.
Pressure is mounting on Ten Hag after United crashed out of Europe with a 1-0 defeat at home to Tuchel’s Bayern Munich, a tally of just four points from six matches representing their worst ever group-stage campaign in the competition.
United are already out of the Carabao Cup and sit six points adrift of the Premier League top four, but with Ten Hag battling a lengthy injury list, Tuchel insisted the Dutchman is capable of turning things around.
“Of course I have sympathy [for him], he has a lot of key players injured for a decisive match,” Tuchel said.
“Now, you can see then they lack this kind of personality and also the quality and maybe the depth to change games from the bench. I think you could see that.
“It’s not an easy time but I’m pretty sure he knows what to do next, he knows how to influence his team, he does not need my advice. He does not need my clapping on the shoulders. He’s experienced enough to go through it.”
Having already secured top spot in Group A, Bayern were well below their best at Old Trafford, but Harry Kane’s clever assist for Kingsley Coman midway through the second half saw the Germans claim a fifth win from six matches and Tuchel believes the Englishman could prove the final piece of the jigsaw for his side as they target Champions League glory.
“Harry is always a difference maker,” the former Chelsea boss said. “With his personality his calmness, his quality, the team knows anything can happen in any minute with Harry. He is one of the top leaders in the group.”
