ANGRY Erik ten Hag accused his Manchester United flops of “giving up” as he hit rock bottom at Crystal Palace.
United target Michael Olise netted twice, sparking the humiliating rout with a solo stunner.
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Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell added to boss Ten Hag’s misery.
Asked if it was a new low in his United reign, Ten Hag replied: “Yes. Our worst defeat.
“We should have kept fighting like the fans did.
“It’s clear, this is underperforming. It’s by far not good enough. We are very disappointed.
“It’s a deserved defeat.
“I will keep fighting. I prepared the team in the best way I could do. It was by far not good enough and I have to take responsibility for that.”
Former United star Ashley Young, who saw Palace complete their first-ever league double over the Red Devils, slammed his old team’s defending.
He said: “It’s shambolic. The way they’re set up is crazy. Players were not at the right level. Palace made it look like men against boys.”
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SunSport revealed last month that Ten Hag is set for the Old Trafford exit this summer.
United have won just one of their last eight games in all competitions.
And defeat at Selhurst Park leaves United eighth in the table — and on course for their worst-ever Prem finish.
Asked if he was the right man to take the club forward, Ten Hag replied: “Absolutely.
“If the right players are available then we have a good squad. But when we miss almost our entire backline then we have problems.
“We have many problems. The only focus I have is to perform better with my team.
“We have to put it right on Sunday against Arsenal.
“All season, we have huge problems and by now, this is the fourth defeat in this calendar year, so that’s not a lot and every time, we had huge problems and many times, we sort it out.”
It’s shambolic. The way they’re set up is crazy. Players were not at the right level. Palace made it look like men against boys.
Ashley Young
United fans stayed to applaud their players despite the shocking display.
Young, now at Everton, said: “Those players do not deserve that, it is unbelievable support.”
And Ten Hag added: “I was really grateful to the fans. They back us. They see also we have our problems. You have to stick together.”
Under boss Oliver Glasner, Palace are unbeaten in five games the first time in two years — winning their last three.
“The first-half performance wasn’t our top level. We gave them too many passes. It was an open game in the first half but we were efficient.
“It was a great performance and a fantastic result.”
Asked if he feared £60million-rated stars Olise and Eberechi Eze could leave this summer, team-mate Joachim Andersen said: “I’ll be praying the whole summer for them to stay, maybe send them a few messages.”
Pundits verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
