Erik ten Hag dismisses any criticism of his position. According to the Manchester United manager, all the noise is coming from the media, and there is no unrest within the club. The Dutchman assured this during a press conference ahead of the league match against Brentford.
In recent weeks, Erik ten Hag has found himself under intense scrutiny as Manchester United languishes in a lowly fourteenth place in the Premier League.
For a club with United's rich history and high expectations, this is seen as an alarming start to the season. Media outlets have fueled speculation about the Dutch manager’s future at the helm, questioning whether his position is secure amidst the poor results. However, Ten Hag has been quick to dismiss such rumors, insisting that the media is responsible for creating unnecessary noise around his job security.
"It only comes from the media," Ten Hag responded sharply during a press conference, clearly frustrated by the ongoing speculation. "They create stories, fairy tales, lies. Some journalists didn’t believe me, but I’ve read the articles." Despite the external pressure, the manager insists that there is no internal unrest at the club, and within the walls of Old Trafford, the focus remains on the long-term vision and plan he has for the team.
One notable voice that has come to Ten Hag's defense is Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who, ironically, has been linked as a potential replacement for Ten Hag should things deteriorate further at United. Earlier this week, Frank publicly supported Ten Hag, emphasizing that the Dutchman deserves time to turn things around, a sentiment that some United fans share. However, others are growing increasingly concerned about the club's form.
Despite the challenging start, Ten Hag remains calm and confident in his ability to guide United back to success. "Of course, we're not happy with the position we're in. But we remain calm. We're all on the same page within the club, and internally, it's very calm here," he stated, signaling that there is no panic behind the scenes. "We are sticking to our plan, and eventually, it will bring success. Sometimes in top football, you face challenges, but I’m confident we can make it a success, just like in past seasons when we also won trophies."
This commitment to a long-term strategy is something Ten Hag has consistently emphasized since his arrival at Manchester United. Last season, under his leadership, the club experienced a resurgence, winning the EFL Cup and securing a top-four finish in the Premier League. However, this season’s disappointing start has raised doubts about whether the team can build on that momentum. One of the key areas of concern for Ten Hag is United’s lack of goals.
The numbers don’t lie: Manchester United has struggled to find the back of the net, managing only five goals in seven Premier League matches so far this season. For a club known for its attacking flair and legendary strikers, this goal drought has been a significant factor in their poor run of form. "We need to start scoring goals," Ten Hag admitted, recognizing the urgent need for improvement in the final third. "We need to improve our ability to get into the box." The manager is acutely aware that turning around United’s fortunes will require the team to be more clinical in front of goal.
Adding to Ten Hag’s headaches has been the number of injuries within his squad. The Dutchman confirmed that Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui, who had been dealing with heart problems, is now fit and available for selection. Initially, there were concerns that Mazraoui could be sidelined for an extended period, with some reports suggesting he could miss months of action. However, those fears were laid to rest as Ten Hag revealed that the defender is back in training. "It’s good news that he’s back," Ten Hag said with relief. "He’s back on the training field and can play on Saturday."
In addition to Mazraoui, another piece of good news for United fans is the imminent return of Tyrell Malacia. The Dutch left-back has been out of action for some time, but his recovery appears to be progressing well, and he is expected to rejoin the squad soon. However, the club is still dealing with a spate of injuries to key players, including midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and defender Harry Maguire, both of whom will be out for several weeks.
Ten Hag acknowledged the difficulties caused by these injuries, particularly when trying to restore confidence and consistency to the team. "That doesn’t help, for sure," he lamented. "You need available players to perform." The lack of depth in key areas has forced United to rely on younger, less experienced players, contributing to their inconsistent performances this season.
As the Red Devils prepare to face Wolverhampton Wanderers, a team struggling at the bottom of the Premier League, Ten Hag knows the importance of securing a win to boost morale and keep pace with the top teams. Despite the poor start, Manchester United is only a point behind the top six, and a few positive results could quickly change the narrative surrounding the club. However, the pressure is mounting, and with every dropped point, the speculation around Ten Hag’s future will only intensify.
For now, Ten Hag remains focused on the task at hand, determined to turn things around at Old Trafford. Whether he can recapture the magic of last season and silence his critics remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of Manchester United’s season and, potentially, the fate of Erik ten Hag as the club’s manager.
