Erik ten Hag did not want to comment in detail on the 'progress' of his team after the defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United lost convincingly on Sunday, and as a result, the pressure on Ten Hag is mounting significantly.
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Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur has left head coach Erik ten Hag facing intense scrutiny as the club’s struggles continue.
The loss marks a particularly difficult period for United, with the team's performances raising questions about its direction under Ten Hag’s leadership. After the match, the Dutchman was notably tight-lipped about the progress of his squad, choosing instead to focus on the need to regroup ahead of their next fixture against FC Porto in the Champions League.
When asked directly about whether he believed his team was making progress, Ten Hag was reluctant to dive into specifics following such a heavy defeat. "I don’t want to talk about progress after such a defeat. We need to deal with it, show resilience, but I’m not talking about progress right now," he remarked. This measured response highlighted the magnitude of the result and the importance of not getting too caught up in broader discussions while his team is struggling with form and consistency. His immediate priority is clearly getting Manchester United back on track, starting with their upcoming European clash.
Ten Hag offered some insight into what went wrong against Tottenham. He acknowledged that his team had failed to execute their game plan effectively, particularly in the first half. "The pressure wasn’t right in the first half," Ten Hag explained. "We gave away some counterattacks after we countered, and we made a few poor decisions." These tactical lapses left United vulnerable and allowed Spurs to dominate key moments of the game. His frustration with the first-half performance was palpable, as he emphasized the need for his players to follow instructions and make better decisions under pressure.
The match took a pivotal turn when Bruno Fernandes was controversially sent off, leaving United down to ten men. Ten Hag did not hold back when discussing the impact of the red card. "We absolutely have to learn from this and improve things. We could have come back into the game, and I think the red card changed the match. No, I don’t think it was a red card," he said, making it clear that he disagreed with the referee’s decision. Losing their captain at such a critical juncture undoubtedly disrupted United’s chances of mounting a comeback, further compounding their difficulties.
One of the most glaring issues in the match was United's defensive disorganization, something Ten Hag admitted needed to be addressed. He specifically pointed out Micky van de Ven’s individual run through the United defense, which led to one of Tottenham’s goals. "Our first half wasn’t good. It’s unacceptable for a player to dribble through our entire team and set up a goal. That has to be stopped. I made it clear before the match how we should defend that," Ten Hag said, expressing his frustration at the lack of discipline and cohesion in the defensive setup. Such moments of poor defending have become a recurring theme in United’s recent matches, and correcting these errors will be key to improving results.
Despite the mounting pressure, Ten Hag remains defiant about his future at Old Trafford. He was quick to dismiss any concerns about his job security, asserting that he still has the full backing of the club's hierarchy. "We still have some injuries and need to improve our organization. We need time, and we’re all in the same boat: the owners, the staff, and the players. So no, I’m not worried," he stated confidently. Ten Hag’s message was clear: he believes in the process and is determined to guide Manchester United through this difficult period.
While the defeat to Tottenham is a significant setback, Ten Hag’s comments suggest he is focused on the long-term project at United. He understands the club's expectations and the intense pressure that comes with managing one of the world’s biggest football institutions, but he also believes that with time and patience, he can steer the team back to winning ways. However, with each disappointing result, the pressure will only intensify, and Ten Hag knows that improvement must come soon if he is to retain the trust of the fans and the board.
Looking ahead, Manchester United’s match against FC Porto offers an opportunity for redemption. It will be a crucial test of the team’s resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. For Ten Hag, it’s a chance to demonstrate that despite the challenges, his vision for United’s future remains intact.
Updated: 09:06, 29 Sep 2024
