After a disastrous start to the season, Erik ten Hag said on Friday that Manchester United is working together to turn things around.
Just over a month into the new campaign, the Dutch manager has a massive task on his hands after the Red Devils lost four of their first six matches across all competitions.
United, who are now in the Premier League’s 13th spot, will go to the bottom-dwelling Burnley on Saturday. United has lost 18 of its 35 road games in all competitions.
Last year, Ten Hag’s team finished third in the league and won a trophy after a six-year drought. “It’s my second year,” Ten Hag said.
Yes, there will be low points, but as long as you stick together, like we are, you’ll emerge stronger on the other side.
“At United, you fight as one with the rest of the team, the coaches, the medical staff, and the rest of the staff.”
There have been rumors of discontentment in the locker room, and the players’ mindset has been called into doubt.
In his pregame press conference, Ten Hag tried to put a positive spin on things by saying, “I don’t know if it’s a leak but I know the opinion(s), I know my players. We welcome input from any and all sources.
United is under pressure to perform well against Burnley because of their poor showing, and they will be missing Jadon Sancho again because of his confrontation with the manager.
Whether or whether the winger will return to play for Borussia Dortmund is unknown at this time.
“It’s up to him,” Ten Hag replied. We are concentrating on our next match against Burnley at this time. No, he won’t be joining the team.
United have suffered a major setback due to injuries. Ten Hag was cautious when asked if starters like Raphael Varane, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat, and Harry Maguire would be available for Saturday’s Turf Moor match.
United’s lack of defensive stability has been crucial to their recent struggles, as 14 goals have been allowed in their last five matches.
Even though Bayern’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, admitted fault for the team’s opening goal in this week’s 4-3 Champions League loss, Ten Hag thinks the issues are systemic rather than individual.
It’s not about any one player or even the manager, he explained; rather, “it’s all about the team,” and right now, “as a team,” they aren’t getting the results they need.
We attack with 11 and we defend with 11,” I tell my team regularly. It takes more than just one or two players for the whole pack to fall apart when one or two aren’t pulling their weight.