Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hit back at Benni McCarthy following the statements he made about the Dutch coach.

The former Bafana Bafana striker accused the Man United boss of lacking the passion and fire. McCarthy worked alongside Ten Hag for two years as his assistant. The coach has since responded to the former's striker statement.

"I don't know what he means. In the last six years I've won eight trophies. I don't think you can do that without passion and fire," Ten Hag told TNT Sports.

"I always motivate my team. When you win trophies, you can't do this without passion and desire.

Ten Hag disagrees with McCarthy "Everyone is different. But I don't know if it's taken out of context, if it's real what he said, because I know him as a different person."

Benni McCarthy worked with Erik ten Hag for two years where he was a forward coach for the Manchester United first team. The former Porto and Blackburn Rovers striker left the Red Devils a few months ago but blasted Ten Hag's lack of fire.

Speaking to Zero Zero, McCarthy said he and Ten Hag differed.

"That's where we differ, him and I. I think that was one of the difficulties that the team and the players encountered. Before I joined the team, I always had to communicate my thoughts to the head coach, which is normal. For someone like me, with strong convictions, it's not easy. Erik always had the final say."

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