Sacked Manchester United manager Erik ten Haag is not worried about his job as his absence and team losing confidence prepare for a trip to rivals Liverpool.
The results of a promising first season in the dugout are long behind us and the Dutchman’s position is under scrutiny after a disappointing start to his second season. Manchester United completed their Carabao Cup defense last month and were knocked out of Europe after losing 1-0 at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League group final on Tuesday.
Premier League leaders Liverpool, who started the weekend 10 points clear of their hapless sixth-placed rivals, now face a difficult task. United’s run of 12 defeats in 24 games in all competitions has increased the pressure on ten Hag, but he is not worried about the ax ahead of the trip to Anfield.”No, I’m here to win and I have to make the team play better, so you don’t have to worry,” said the Dutchman. “If you play well, I keep saying good is not enough. “Now I have to work for a long time in a team that plays at a high level because of the inconsistency,” he said.United’s move may have given Ten Haag more time than others while they waited for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s part-time takeover to be confirmed.
Asked why he was confident everyone at the club would back him, the United manager said: “That’s all well and good, but I’m going to focus on the process. I’m going to try to help this team play better. I’m focused on personal development and that’s what I care about.”That’s what I’m all about: a team focused on the good stuff.”United will need plenty of attention given their lackluster performances this season, with last weekend’s home defeat to Bournemouth their lowest point so far.
Manchester United, England – Tuesday, October 3, 2023: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Manchester United FC and Galatasaray S.K. At Old Trafford before the pair’s match. Galatasaray won 3-2.
In fact, the Red Devils haven’t been the same since losing 7-0 at Anfield in March, a week after ending a six-year trophy hunt by lifting the Carabao Cup.It was a record defeat for the game and some United fans fear the season could hit a new low on Sunday. “I think everyone knows, I think everyone gets motivated when they go to Anfield,” Ten Hag said.“It’s a great place to go and I know it’s going to be tough.
I think all the best footballers want this challenge, so they should be looking forward to it. “We will definitely remember last year but you have to take advantage of it and learn from it and on Sunday we can prove it.”Captain Bruno Fernandes was particularly criticized after leaving Anfield in March and will miss his return after picking up a needless fifth yellow card of the season for dissent.The United captain’s absence has left an impressive list of absentees, including the injured Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo. Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof have also been dropped recently and Jadon Sancho has also been left out of the first team.
Manchester, England – Saturday October 19, 2019: Harry Maguire of Manchester United during the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw picked up injuries against Bayern Munich, the former joining Anthony Martial’s long list of absentees through illness.
But Ten Hague offered positive news following Shaw’s hamstring problem and said Marcus Rashford had returned from the illness that prevented Tuesday’s defeat. “Harry will be ruled out for the next few games, but we don’t think this is a long-term problem.” The Manchester United manager, who refused to reveal the Anfield claims, said:“Luke Shaw trained this morning so I think he will be available on Sunday. Marcus Rashford is available but Martial is not.
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