"We wouldn't have lost as many games" - Rio Ferdinand says Ten Hag could have 'guaranteed' Manchester United stay with claim he refused to make

Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has made an interesting claim about Erik ten Hag amid his uncertain future at Old Trafford. The former centre-back claimed that the Dutchman would've guaranteed his stay at the club if he had embraced a more pragmatic style this season and the Red Devils wouldn't have lost as many games.

Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United is in jeopardy. The former Ajax boss could be shown the exit door at the end of the season for failing to get the best out of his team.

This season, the Red Devils suffered premature eliminations in the Champions League and the EFL Cup. They're also out of the Premier League title race and are most likely to finish outside the top four amid a run of unfavorable results.

As it stands, Ten Hag might not be at the helm of affairs at Old Trafford next season, with rumors suggesting that new club owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is already considering his options for a potential replacement.

Speaking on the subject, Rio Ferdinand reckoned that the Dutchman could've avoided the situation he finds himself in and earned another year at the club if he had embraced a more pragmatic approach.

The Englishman explained that Ten Hag should've set up his team in low blocks and tried to hit opposition sides on the counter when the struggles set in this season. According to him, that would've made the Red Devils tougher to beat.

“If he set up to become a counter-attacking team, and said ‘we’ve got too many injuries and can’t play any other way’, boom, he probably would have been guaranteed his job next year on that basis," the former Manchester United defender said on FIVE.

“We wouldn’t have been as open, wouldn’t have conceded as many shots, and wouldn’t have lost as many games I’m sure, but its difficult," he added.

Ten Hag appears to have a lifeline with the FA Cup. The tactician might be able to buy himself some time if he manages to overcome Manchester City and claim the trophy next month (May 25).

How many games have Manchester United lost so far this season?

Manchester United's record in the Premier League this season reads 12 losses, five draws and 15 victories in 32 games. They currently occupy seventh position in the table with 50 points and six matches to go.

In the Champions League, Erik ten Hag's men lost four of their six games. They recorded just one victory and a draw in the other two games, which condemned them to an embarrassing elimination as they finished bottom of Group A.

The Red Devils also lost one of their two games in the EFL Cup, where they crashed out in the last 16. Overall, they've recorded 17 defeats across all competitions so far this season.