‘Felt like the end’ - Paul Scholes slams Erik ten Hag after Man Utd loss to Crystal Palace

Paul Scholes has said it feels like Erik ten Hag is on ‘borrowed time’ as Manchester United manager and claimed that Monday night’s disastrous 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace could be the ‘final nail in the coffin’.

The Red Devils were outclassed by 14th-place Palace at Selhurst Park, and the visitors were easily swotted aside. A Michael Olise double and goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell resulted in a United horror show in the capital.

But it was the manner of this error-strewn and gutless display that was most damaging for Ten Hag. Since Ineos’ arrival earlier this year, the Dutchman has essentially been on trial as United boss, and Monday’s performance was another damaging blow for his chance to retaining the job next season.

Scholes told Premier League Production that it feels like his time as United manager is drawing to a close. “Tonight almost felt like a final nail in the coffin,” said the ex-midfielder.

“There was a lack of knowhow in the team, a lack of effort, going to a team like Crystal Palace who are a good team and doing well, but Manchester United shouldn't be going there and doing 4-0.  I felt for a while he [Ten Hag] might get another year and work for a club that has calmed down a little by the new owners but it doesn't feel like that now.

“I thought ‘who is out there to replace him?’. With Thomas Tuchel saying he's leaving Bayern Munich, I don't think that creates a bigger problem for him [Ten Hag] as the problems are there anyway, I think it's quite plain to see that he's on borrowed time.

“Sometimes you get those moments where you think this is the end. I remember Ole Gunnar [Solskjaer] at Watford away, 4-1, it felt very similar to me, it felt like the end.”

Scholes went on to add that the team performance was more down to the manager than the players. “There's not actually that many bad players at United is there? It looks like they're not being coached, when it looks like being the manager's fault. It looks like the fight has gone out of them,” said the 11-time Premier League champion.

The result was also damaging for United’s chances of claiming a European spot, after Newcastle United and Chelsea moved above them with wins over the weekend. The Red Devils are eighth, level on points with Chelsea but trail Eddie Howe’s Magpies by two points with just two games remaining.