ERIK TEN HAG insists he can deal with the strain following Manchester United’s worst begin to a season in 61 years.
They’ve suffered consecutive 3-0 dwelling defeats to Manchester Metropolis and Newcastle and have now misplaced eight of their opening 15 video games in all competitions.
Erik ten Hag is underneath strain after a poor begin to the seasonCredit score: Getty
Man Utd have misplaced back-to-back video games 3-0Credit score: Getty
It has turned up the warmth on the Pink Devils boss however he’s not hiding as he proved when he fronted up and answered all questions in a press convention forward of the journey to Fulham’s Craven Cottage.
And the Dutchman maintains he has what it takes to show issues round at Outdated Trafford and is utilizing each waking hour to just do that.
Ten Hag, 53, mentioned: “At all times, when the group will not be taking part in effectively, you concentrate on it, to get it proper.
“I want my leisure to get vitality however for now it’s 24/7, you assume, ‘How do I get this proper?’
“I’ve to take the duty and, sure, share duty and, yeah, I belief the gamers.”
That belief in his underperforming stars is born out of their success final season, once they reached each home cup finals, profitable the Carabao Cup and ending third within the Premier League.
He additionally factors to examples from this season, like final month’s dramatic win in opposition to Brentford once they fought again with two targets in added time, as proof the spirit within the camp is true.
Ten Hag mentioned: “I’ve seen many moments final yr and these days that they battle, there may be the spirit, for example in opposition to Brentford.
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“If there was no battle or spirit or characters within the dressing room you couldn’t do that. They’re optimistic. They need to put this proper.
“We all know the requirements and must match the requirements day by day. We’ve had two large setbacks however we are going to battle again.
“This dressing room is robust, the workers is robust and the supervisor is robust to place it proper.
“We’ve to win and I don’t need to discover excuses if we’re not profitable. That’s the demand and I can’t stroll away from that.
“Typically you’ve troublesome durations however while you stick collectively — and we’re collectively — then you definately come by way of these troublesome durations.”
Pundits like former United star Gary Neville have tried to present Ten Hag a get-out by claiming it’s right down to the construction behind the scenes underneath the Glazer household.
However the supervisor has no complaints and added: “I wouldn’t work right here if I assumed it wasn’t proper.”
United followers thought the appointment of former Ajax boss Ten Hag on the Theatre of Desires would deliver with it the gorgeous sport.
United have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by NewcastleCredit score: Getty
After Sunday’s derby defeat, he stunned many by saying he couldn’t play as he did with Ajax with this set of gamers.
At United’s Carrington HQ yesterday, he went into extra element about exactly what he meant in a two-minute rant.
He mentioned: “I can’t play like Ajax as a result of I had totally different gamers, so I got here right here with my philosophy primarily based on possession but in addition to mix it with the DNA of Manchester United, with the gamers, with the competences and characters of the gamers.
“We performed superb soccer final season. This season, the philosophy will not be totally different.
“We need to go extra direct however the clarification for my direct thought was, ‘I need to go for lengthy balls’.
“No, I don’t need Andre Onana to go for lengthy balls. I need to play out from the again.
“We tried it each sport, additionally in opposition to Metropolis but when an opponent goes in a excessive press, it’s a good choice to go direct.
“What I meant with directness is we need to press from totally different blocks after which go direct as a result of we have now the gamers like Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay who’re superb at it and with the passing of Christian Eriksen after which the full-backs becoming a member of in.
“That was my thought. I defined it very clear.”
Nonetheless, it was put to him that proper now, United don’t have a discernible type of play.
Ten Hag replied: “I don’t need to say that, that’s too robust.
“The intention is obvious however undoubtedly it’s the case the execution isn’t there.
“However for the time being we have now so many modifications each sport, we are able to’t line up the identical two or three video games in a row and we have now to swap.
“Final season was the identical with one participant however now we miss typically gamers within the again 4 and each time we have now to regulate.
Raphael is match once more for UnitedCredit score: Getty
“That doesn’t assist your routines and likewise the midfield we have now to regulate, lacking Casemiro, an essential participant.”
Raphael Varane is again within the squad to face Fulham after lacking the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle by way of sickness.
Casemiro got here off at half-time and has a hamstring damage which might sideline him for a month.
It actually does really feel like a must-win match at Fulham.
Ten Hag admitted: “We’ve to win each sport. We put together superb for each sport and I’m positive the gamers are prepared.”