Brazilian legend Rivaldo has warned Manchester United to avoid replacing Erik Ten Hag with former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.
Rivaldo criticizes former Real Madrid manager's treatment of youth
Amid reports of dressing room unrest and Erik ten Hag's potential replacement, former Barcelona and Brazil star Rivaldo has weighed in, raising concerns about Zinedine Zidane's management style.
10:04 - 04.12.2023
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Ten Hag faces dressing room conflict and potential sacking
Manchester United's recent 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United has fueled rumours of discontent within the playing squad.
Ten Hag acknowledged "one or two" players questioning his style of play, sparking speculation about his future at the club.
Despite facing criticism, Ten Hag remains confident in his players' support, citing their performances against Everton and Galatasaray as evidence of their commitment.
Zidane linked as a potential replacement, but Rivaldo raises question marks
Zinedine Zidane, known for his successful stint at Real Madrid, has emerged as a potential replacement for Ten Hag. While his three Champions League titles speak volumes, Rivaldo's past criticism of Zidane's treatment of young players presents a cautionary tale.
Zidane's treatment of youngsters contrasted with Koeman's approach
In 2021, Rivaldo praised then Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman for his successful integration of young talent into the team, contrasting it with Zidane's approach. He specifically mentioned Zidane's handling of Fede Valverde, Rodrygo Goes, and Vinicius Junior.
"I don't know who will be behind all this, but Zidane is doing the opposite of what he did when he started using young talents like Valverde, Rodrygo or Vinicius," Rivaldo remarked.
Rivaldo on benching young players
Rivaldo further criticized Zidane's tendency to bench young players as punishment, arguing that it ultimately harms the team. He cited the example of Vinicius Junior, who was reportedly benched for looking at his phone during a team talk.
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