Category: Football, Sports

Erik ten Hag Manchester United Future: Confident Amid Pressure and Challenges

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag remains confident about his position at the club, stating he is “not thinking” about any changes in management and emphasizing that everyone is “on one page.” Despite a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, which left United in 12th place in the Premier League with only seven points from six games, Ten Hag remains optimistic about the direction the club is taking.

United’s performance this season has been underwhelming, with three losses already in the league. Their current points tally matches their joint-worst start after six games in a Premier League season. When asked about the possibility of the club’s hierarchy considering a change of manager, Ten Hag responded, “I am not thinking about this.”

He explained that the leadership group, along with the ownership, decided to stay committed over the summer. “We all made the decision to stay together as ownership and a leadership group in the summer. We reviewed what needed improvement and how to build a stronger squad. We knew it would take time, especially with some players arriving late, like Manuel Ugarte, and dealing with injuries to key players.”

Ten Hag stressed that patience is required. “I think we will get better. We need some time. We are all on one page or in one boat together—ownership, leadership, staff, and players. I don’t have that concern,” he added.

United's Recent Struggles

United had a tough season last year, finishing eighth in what was their worst top-flight finish since 1990. However, they managed to win the FA Cup by beating Manchester City in the final. Following that, a thorough post-season review, led by a new football structure under the supervision of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, confirmed Ten Hag’s continuation in his role.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth were not part of that review since they had not yet assumed their roles. However, prior to a 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at Old Trafford on 1 September, Berrada expressed his full support for Ten Hag, stating the manager had “our full backing.”

Sunday’s game against Tottenham was another disappointment for United, with Brennan Johnson putting Spurs ahead after just three minutes. The situation worsened when captain Bruno Fernandes received a red card just before halftime. Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke extended Tottenham’s lead, leaving many Manchester United fans exiting Old Trafford early, frustrated by their team’s performance.

Moving Forward with Optimism

Despite the setbacks, Erik ten Hag remains optimistic about Manchester United’s ability to bounce back. United face Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, followed by an away Premier League game against Aston Villa before the international break.

“Of course, we can bounce back. There is always a new game, a new day,” Ten Hag said. “We have to learn as a team. It can’t happen twice in four days that a defender can dribble through the whole team. Mistakes like that can’t happen in top football. But we will bounce back.”

The Manchester United boss remains focused on addressing their weaknesses and believes that his team can find form again as they navigate a busy schedule ahead. He hopes that the leadership, staff, and players remain united as they continue to work towards improvement.