‘Look in the mirror’ - Former Newcastle boss trolls Manchester United with manager advice amid Europa League race

Alan Pardew has urged Manchester United to sack Erik ten Hag and appoint Mark Robins as their new manager.

Robins is a respected figure at Old Trafford, being credited as the man who saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job in 1990. The Red Devils were travelling to Nottingham Forest for an FA Cup third-round clash and, sitting 15th in the table, were also trophyless after four years under Ferguson.

His strike earned a 1-0 win at the City Ground and Man United would go on to win the FA Cup - kick-starting a conveyor belt of silverware. Fast forward to the present and Robins came agonisingly close to dumping his former club out of the the same competition.

Coventry City fought from three goals down in last weekend’s Wembley semi-final before losing on penalties. Erik ten Hag’s side are under increasing pressure and slipped up against Burnley on Saturday to give Newcastle United ground in the Europa League race.

The Magpies are one point behind Man United in sixth and looking to capitalise on the uncertainty at Old Trafford. Speaking on talkSPORT, ex-Newcastle boss Pardew ripped into Ten Hag while recommending Robins as his potential replacement.

“Perhaps he (Ten Hag) needs to look in the mirror and go back over some of these performances,” he said. “He’s getting a bit too emotionally wrapped up in the game. It's not just us (pundits), I’d say it’s 90 per cent of the football population (criticising Man United). 

“We have Erik coming out about the performances, referees and everything else. This is the last five games: won, drawn, drawn, lost, drawn - that’s not Man United form.

“Man United should go and get the best they can. They’ve done it with the sporting director, they’re trying to change the back room staff and they need to chase a top, top manager. Mark Robins would be a good shout for that football club if they decide to change.”