Pundit Richard Keys has continued his verbal assault on Erik ten Hag after the Manchester United boss bemoaned the Premier League fixture schedule.
The Dutchman saw his side take fourth place in the table as they beat Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford, with goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial. But the win was marred by top scorer Marcus Rashford limping off late on, with an apparent groin strain.
United had previously beaten Brentford on Wednesday night following their defeat at Newcastle last Sunday, and will host Seville in their Europa League quarter final first leg this coming Thursday. And after their win over the relegation threatened Toffees, their Dutch boss hit out at their congested period.
After being asked about Rashford's knock, he told beIN Sports: "Some things you can’t avoid but it was avoidable. Why is the Premier League giving us the late Sunday night game and giving us the early Saturday game? I think it’s not right.
"You run the risk, the players can’t recover that quickly, we know all research that players need a certain period to recover and it accumulates. So then you run even more of a risk. It’s also part of the schedule that we now find ourselves in this situation and now we can only pray he is not dropping off."
But former Sky Sports presenter Keys was having none of it, and in the latest in a series of criticisms about the ex-Ajax man, said: "Erik, as regards the scheduling and injuries, it’s the English Premier League. If you don’t like it, there is always of course Eredivisie, where you can go and ply your trade."
United fans however, will hardly be taken aback by the outburst. Keys has not hidden his feelings towards ten Hag, who he originally dubbed 'Ten months' in a jibe to how long he would last in his current job. He altered the name to 'seven hag' after the Red Devils were hammered by Liverpool last month, and has frequently insinuated that the 53-year-old is overhyped.
Keys, 65, has also mocked the signing of Wout Wieghorst, who signed for the club on loan on January. After United beat Leicester 3-0 in February, he said fielding the Dutch striker was essentially futile.
"You’re playing with ten men most weeks if he’s [Weghorst] in," ranted Keys. "I mean, he doesn’t do enough to justify a starting place does he? Come on, let’s be honest!"
