- Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, is working hard to turn the team’s fortunes around after a difficult start to the season
- The team currently sits in 13th place in the Premier League and has faced issues with injuries and defensive solidity
Erik ten Hag stated on Friday that Manchester United is working hard to turn their fortunes around after a disastrous start to the season.
The Red Devils have lost four of their first six games in all competitions, leaving the Dutch manager with a massive task just over a month into the new season.
United travel to Burnley on Saturday, where they currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League, having lost 18 of their previous 35 away games in all competitions.
It’s my second year,” said Ten Hag, whose team last season finished third in the table and ended a six-year trophy drought.
I know it’s not always only going up — you will have your gaps and you get stronger from it as long as you stay together, and that’s what we’re doing.
The dressing room, staff, all the staff, coaches, medical, everyone is united and at United you fight.
Stories of discontent in the locker room have begun to emerge, and players’ attitudes have been called into question.
During his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag attempted to paint a positive picture, saying, “I don’t know if it’s a leak, but I know the opinion(s), I know my players.” Everyone is welcome to make suggestions; we don’t mind.”
United’s poor form has made the trip to Burnley a high-pressure affair, and they will be without Jadon Sancho, who is still out due to a spat with the manager.
It is unknown whether the former Borussia Dortmund winger will return to the club.
It depends on him,” said Ten Hag. “For the rest, we are preparing for Burnley and that’s our focus. He will not be in the squad.
United has been severely harmed by injuries. Raphael Varane, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat, and Harry Maguire were scheduled to train at Turf Moor ahead of the match, but Ten Hag was hesitant when asked if they would be available.
United’s problems have been exacerbated by a lack of defensive solidity, with 14 goals conceded in their last five games.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana held his hands up after conceding Bayern’s first goal in this week’s 4-3 Champions League defeat, but Ten Hag believes the issues are collective.
It’s about the team and, as a team, we don’t have the results at this moment so then also individuals don’t bring the performance you expect, not only one player, there are more, including the manager, he said.
I always tell my players we attack with 11 and we defend with 11. When one or two are not doing their job, it’s like a pack of cards, so that is not only one or two players.