Former Manchester United first-team coach Benni McCarthy says that United boss Erik ten Hag “lacks a bit of that fire, that passion”. McCarthy, 46, joined Ten Hag’s team two years ago but left the club in the summer as he wanted to return to management.

Erik ten Hag ’s former assistant Benni McCarthy has claimed that the Manchester United manager lacks “fire” and “passion” as pressure again builds on the Dutchman at Old Trafford. A damaging defeat to Tottenham has led to renewed speculation over Ten Hag’s future after he narrowly avoided losing his job this summer.