Erik ten Hag has questioned the football knowledge of those calling for him to be sacked

 Erik ten Hag has questioned the football knowledge of those calling for him to be sacked; Mikel Arteta has said the under-fire Man Utd manager deserves time at Old Trafford; watch Man Utd vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports this Super Sunday from 3.30pm; kick-off 4.30pm

Image:Mikel Arteta has backed Erik ten Hag (right), who has hit back at critics of his own

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has questioned the knowledge and understanding of impatient onlookers calling for him to be sacked, as Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta believes the Dutchman deserves more time at Old Trafford.

United's season hit a new low in Monday's 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football, which leaves them in eighth spot ahead of their Super Sunday clash against Arsenal, live on Sky Sports.

Ten Hag's side could record their lowest-ever Premier League finish this season, though they are in this month's FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley, and Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher disagreed over whether the Dutchman should stay on as head coach.

"I think the fans have the patience - you've seen it on Monday," Ten Hag said, referencing the wave of support from the United travelling fans immediately after their 4-0 loss at Palace.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes the club's owners understand why the team have struggled at times this season given their injuries but does not expect them to come out and and say anything about his future

"But when I see some comments, they don't. And either they don't have any knowledge about football, or they don't have any knowledge about managing a football team. It's possible, or they just are up to it.

"But I think there are many people that see the problems and they are patient."

 

Ten Hag is confident "common sense" will prevail as the club's decision-makers consider his future, brushing aside talk that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group could sack him even if United won the FA Cup, as happened to compatriot Louis van Gaal in 2016.