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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ten Hag responds to 'passion' comments</li><li>McCarthy accused ex-boss of lacking fire</li><li>Man Utd manager points to trophy record</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Erik ten Hag snipes back at ex-Man Utd coach Benni McCarthy after being accused of 'lacking passion'

Europa League

Viktoria Plzen

Manchester United

<p>Ten Hag responded to comments made by McCarthy, who left his role at Old Trafford at the end of last season in a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ruud-van-nistelrooy-outstanding-appointment-man-utd-sir-alex-ferguson-standards-erik-ten-hag/blt0d9c330b1a08c387" target="_blank">coaching reshuffle</a>, claiming that the Dutchman doesn't have the passion to be a success at a club like United.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/erik-ten-hag-accused-wasting-cristiano-ronaldo-lacking-passion-man-utd-former-coach-benni-mccarthy/blte84da869a459acc0#cs15143837a961a6ef" target="_blank">McCarthy had told <em>Zero Zero</em></a>, a publication in Portugal: "He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That's where we differ, him and I. I think that was one of the difficulties that the team and the players encountered." The retired South African striker also accused his former boss of "wasting" Cristiano Ronaldo.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Ten Hag told <em>TNT Sports</em> when McCarthy's comments were raised: "I don't know what he means. When you win trophies, you can't do this without passion and desire."</p>

WHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID

<p>In addition to Carabao Cup and FA Cup successes across his first two seasons with Manchester United, Ten Hag won three Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups with Ajax, who haven't collected a single trophy since he left in 2022.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham and a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-player-ratings-vs-porto-harry-maguire-bruno-fernandes/blt9afacdcc6dd955f4" target="_blank">3-3 draw against Porto</a>, things aren't any easier for Ten Hag as his United team now face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. Defeat at Villa Park would pile on even more pressure.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Erik ten Hag snipes back at ex-Man Utd coach Benni McCarthy after being accused of 'lacking passion' | Goal.com South Africa

Erik ten Hag as defended his record at Manchester United after former assistant coach Benni McCarthy questioned his level of passion.