‘Not great’ - Peter Schmeichel sends message to Manchester United fans turning on Erik ten Hag

Peter Schmeichel has urged Manchester United fans to back Erik ten Hag through his sticky patch, pointing to the fact that previous changes in manager have not helped the club move forward.

In Wednesday’s League Cup defeat, Newcastle fans were heard singing ‘you're getting sacked in the morning’ chants at Ten Hag and Schmeichel is under the impression some home fans joined in too.

He urged supporters to unify and show their belief in the manager who brought them their first trophy in six seasons last term. He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “If we love Man United we have to come in behind him and support him.

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“Against Newcastle, our own fans were singing ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ - that is not great, that isn’t how you support Manchester United.”

Ten Hag has run a tight ship at United when it comes to discipline having suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for his public critique of his boss last year while Jadon Sancho remains exiled as he continues his standoff, which is now entering its second month.

Schmeichel says the onus is on the players to put in the effort but suggested that Ten Hag relaxes any hardline attitudes he has within the dressing room. Nevertheless, he said sacking the Dutchman would be the wrong thing to do.

Schmeichel added: “The minimum you can do is run and fight. Everyone can do that, but at times it’s not even happening. So of course it needs a change in mentality and approach to everything.

“And that is what the manager has got to help the players with. Is he a very strict manager? Is he running a really disciplined dressing room? I don’t know, but if he is, loosen the grip a