Dutch legend says ‘everyone wants to play Man Utd’ and ‘fears big’ over Luton clash in damning verdict on Ten Hag’s side

RUUD GULLIT “fears big” for Dutch compatriot Erik ten Hag following Manchester United’s collapse at Copenhagen last night.

The Red Devils led the match 2-0 and 3-2 but squandered both leads to lose 4-3.

Erik ten Hag’s side fell to their ninth defeat in 17 gamesRex

Willie Vass

Ruud Gullit ‘fears big’ for his compatriot[/caption]

United’s defeat has left their Champions League campaign on the brink.

It also means they have lost nine of their 17 matches in all competitions this term.

The Red Devils had led 2-0 via Rasmus Hojlund‘s double against his old club.

But the match turned on Marcus Rashford‘s controversial 42nd minute red card, with Copenhagen levelling before the break.

Bruno Fernandes’ penalty restored ten-man United’s lead on 69 minutes, but a pair of late Copenhagen goals consigned Ten Hag and Co to defeat.

Prem new-boys Luton travel to Old Trafford this Saturday.

And Gullit, 61, doesn’t believe the Hatters will be “afraid” of United.

Discussing last night’s match on beIN SPORTS, Gullit said: “I fear big.

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“When I saw him [Ten Hag] on the pitch after that, he was very calm. I feel for him. They’re gonna get hammered this whole week.

“It doesn’t look good but the thing is, as a coach, you think to yourself that first 25 minutes was excellent. I can build on that. And then something happens and then it all collapses.”

On United’s predicament, Gullit added: “Nobody is afraid of them and everybody wants to play them because they all think they have a chance.

“That’s the energy you have to take care of. Every time you think they’ve stopped the bleeding by putting a plaster on it, then all of a sudden something comes out and put the plaster there [laughs].

“Today [Wednesday], again you start well and then all of a sudden something strange happens and then you are out of control.”

In addition to being on the brink of a Champions League exit and out of the League Cup, the Red Devils are eighth in the Premier League.

After last night’s game, a defiant Ten Hag said: “This squad is resilient. The whole season, so many decisions are against us, so many setbacks for injuries.

“Every time there is a spirit, there is a fight and we will keep going because I am sure and I said to the lads it will turn – on one moment in the season it will turn in our favour.”

Getty

Man Utd fell to a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen[/caption]