Erik ten Hag was on the brink of losing his job a few months ago, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe interviewing a range of candidates at the beginning of the summer. In the end, the decision was Ten Hag was the best man for the job, after two trophies in two years, but the pressure was on.
After an opening day victory against Fulham, United had suffered two defeats, the most recent a painful 3-0 loss against rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday’s visit to Southampton, Ten Hag has asked people to wait until May to judge the team, while also recognising improvements need to be made.
We will see where we are in May next year. It’s very early in the season and it’s about winning trophies, being as high as possible, of course, in the league. Do everything to win every game and then we will see in May where we are and then judge.
It doesn’t impact me. I know, in the process, where we are, what we have to do, where we are going. I have said before, we are still in a transition period. We have to integrate a lot of young players also in the team. We are still dealing with injuries, we have to bring the injuries back in the team. Before anyone thinks about excuses, no: we have to win every game. I know that, the team knows this and it doesn’t matter who is available. We will focus on every game and, in every game, have the mindset we have to win.
Of course, when you see the scores, no-one is happy. But also players have a very good sense of the process, of the quality of the process. I agree with him. Also, when you analyse the games – all the games – so far, we are in a good direction, but also, as normal in a transition period and in the period where you have to build a team, we have to improve. We have to step up.
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