Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists his dressing room is “strong” and the club will “fight back” after a miserable week that increased scrutiny over his position.
United have suffered eight defeats in 15 games this season, with a derby dismantling by Manchester City in the Premier League followed by a 3-0 home loss against Newcastle in the Carabao cup.
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The Dutchman faced questions about his job security and his players’ mentality ahead of Saturday’s trip to Fulham but despite overseeing the club’s worst start to a season in 61 years, Ten Hag struck a bullish tone and said there was a collective determination to bounce back.
Asked about his players’ reaction after Wednesday’s defeat, Ten Hag said: “Positive. They want to put this right.
“We know the standards here and we have to match the standards every day. We’ve had two big setbacks but we will fight back. This dressing room is strong, this staff is strong and this manager is strong to put this right.”
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Put to him that pundits had suggested United were lacking a recognisable style of play, Ten Hag said: “I don’t want to say that. I think that is too strong.
“The intention is clear but it is definitely the case that the execution isn’t there, but I think that in the moment we are in — with so many changes in every game — we can’t line up the same two, three games after each other and we have to swap.
“Now we miss players often in the back four and every time we have to adjust and that doesn’t help in your routines. Also, the midfield, we have to adjust, missing Casemiro, who’s an important player.
Diogo Dalot looks dejected after defeat to Newcastle (Getty Images)“But we have to win and I don’t want to find excuses if we’re not winning. Now we have to be more pragmatic but still we have to win. These are the demands and I don’t walk away from that.”
Pressed further on his recent comments that his Manchester United side would “never” play like Ajax, Ten Hag said: “I came here with my philosophy, based on possession, but also (to) combine it with the DNA of Manchester United and the characteristics of the players.
“We played very good football last season. This season the philosophy is not different. We go more direct, but the explanation for direct is I want to go for long balls? No, I don’t. If the opponent is going in high press, it is a good option to go direct. We want to press from different blocks and then go direct because we have the players like Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay and then the full-backs joining in and I explain it very clear.”
Off the field, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is prepared to commit $300million (£245m) of his personal wealth for infrastructure upgrades at Manchester United if he completes a purchase of a minority stake in the club, but asked about potential money for new players, Ten Hag said: “I have a good squad and I am convinced the players in this dressing room, they can do a lot better, but that is up to me.
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“I have the responsibility to let them play better and I will put every effort in. I am not thinking about (transfers). I am convinced the players will be hard to beat and they know how to do it.”
Casemiro is will be out for “several weeks” with a hamstring injury and Victor Lindelof is a doubt, but Raphael Varane is set to return at Craven Cottage.
“Varane is ready to play so he will travel with the squad,” Ten Hag added. “Just Victor Lindelof, some illness; we have to see if he is ready for tomorrow.”
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(Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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