Eric Ten Haag. (Photo: AP)
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains confident he will be given time to turn the Red Devils’ fortunes around after Sunday’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat by Tottenham.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains confident he will be given time to turn the Red Devils’ fortunes around after Sunday’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat by Tottenham.
United never recovered from the dreadful start as Brennan Johnson powered in after Micky van de Ven’s onslaught through the heart of the home defense after three minutes.
The Hague then lost their captain Bruno Fernandes to a straight red card before half-time.
Dejan Kuluszewski and Dominic Solanke then did justice to Tottenham’s dominance in the second-half scoring.
Ten Hag began the season under scrutiny after surviving an internal review at the end of last season.
United finished eighth last season – their lowest finish in the Premier League – and have won just two of their opening six games of the new campaign to sit 12th in the table.
“We all took it together, this decision to stay together as an owner and leadership group in the summer,” Ten Hag said when asked if he feared the club’s new football management group would turn to a new manager.
“We made the decision after a clear review of what we need to improve and how we want to build the team.”
Ten Hag even got a one-year extension on his contract three months ago.
The former Ajax boss badly needs a quick turnaround in fortunes with two tough away games coming up this week at Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
“I think we will improve and we need some time,” he added.
“We’re all on the same page, in the same boat, together, ownership, leadership group, staff and players.”
The Ten Hag was critical of the way his side conceded an equalizer in a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Europa League on Wednesday.
And he could not contain his frustration when Tottenham struck in similar fashion within minutes.
Van de Ven broke deep into his own half towards the United line and crossed for Johnson to produce a rudimentary finish.
“As a team, it can’t happen twice in a few days that a defender can dribble all over the park,” Ten Haag said.
“What I saw in the first 30 minutes is below the level we can expect from a Manchester United team.
“The players were very stressed after conceding so quickly and making bad decisions.”
United’s first-half display was branded a “disgrace” by former captain Gary Neville.
However, Fernandez is fighting for his dismissal.
The Portugal international slipped while tackling James Maddison and caught the Tottenham midfielder just below the knee.
“Never a red card, that’s my opinion,” Fernandez said.
“If he wants to give me a yellow (card) because they are going to counter-attack, then I agree. But more than that, no. It is not so.”
(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published by a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)
