Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was spotted “catching strays” on WWE Smackdown, when a commentator quipped he was comparable to a character on the show since they were both just about still in a position.
Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s underfire manager, was mercilessly mocked on WWE less than 24 hours before the FA Cup final. Smackdown aired from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday night, before of the King and Queen of the Ring event. And it meant that the event was in prime time for UK fans, as well as Ten Hag, if he had wanted to watch. However, the Dutchman was “catching strays” when the Bloodline entered. Wade Barrett, real name Stu Bennett, remarked on commentary that the Bloodline’s manager Paul Heyman was still working, but not for much longer, like Ten Hag.
He stated: “Paul Heyman is essentially the Bloodline’s response to Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag. [He] still has a job, but for how long?
Even in wrestling I’m reminded of my dusted club,” one fan fumed. While a second said: “I’m finished man’s getting dragged by Bad News Barrett…”
Why’ve they done him like this then,” a third joked. And another added: “Oh we’re getting cooked everywhere… Erik ten Hag what have you done to my football club…”
It’s not the first time Preston North End fan Barrett has crossed paths with the Red Devils – and some fans joked he might be harbouring ill-feelings towards the club after an incident in 2015.
At the time Barrett was in-ring performer and he was roasting Wayne Rooney, who was ringside for an episode of WWE Raw in Manchester. After the wrestling giant got too close, the ex-United skipper slapped the brute on the chin and sent him crashing down to the floor
Ten Hag will have the opportunity to put Barrett away for good on Saturday when his Red Devils face Manchester City in the FA Cup final. United are looking to avenge last season’s final, which they lost 2-1 against the same opponents. According to The Guardian, it could be Ten Hag’s final season with United, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe hoping to bring in the INEOS era this summer.
