Paul Ince has slammed Sir Jim Ratcliffe for the shoddy treatment of Erik ten Hag during Manchester United's managerial review.

As last season drew to a close, Ten Hag was left sweating over his job as Ratcliffe and United's top brass pondered if he was the right man to lead them into the next campaign.

Despite winning the FA Cup, the Dutchman's fate remained up in the air.

United chiefs consulted with several high-profile names, including ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, before deciding to stick with their man at the helm.

The whole saga certainly turned heads given its unusual nature.

Ex-Red Devils midfielder Ince is one of many who reckon Ten Hag deserved better, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes 1-2-Free, he said: "I am surprised Erik ten Hag is still in the job, to be honest.

"Not because I don't think he should be there, but just because of how Man United went about the whole process towards the end of last season.

You know, looking at and speaking to other managers.

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that's not a very nice way of doing things.

"And then, obviously, they put it out there that there was going to be a review at the end of the season.

Now, if the club is saying there's going to be a review, it means they're not overly happy with the manager and the team's performance, and what's been going on.

While Ince admitted last season's eighth-place finish in the Premier League was "nowhere near good enough", he highlighted that the blame didn't solely lie with Ten Hag, stating: "Some of the players that have come in just have not performed to the standards we'd have expected.

"He expressed hope that the restructuring of the club's hierarchy will bring about the much-needed improvement in on-field performances.

However, he also cautioned about the intense competition in England's top tier.

Ince added: "I've seen the club are looking at a couple of centre-halves, and a lot will depend on who they're able to bring in this summer.

"That area is spot on, for me, when you're looking at strengthening.

But there are a lot of teams now who are targeting those top four spots; they aren't a given.

You know, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham.

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"Regardless of that victory in the FA Cup final, we're no closer to City.

That was a win in a cup game.

Man United are a bit like England; they've got moments in their team where they can do great things, but we're not seeing it enough.

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