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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is under enormous pressure heading into the Premier League game against Brentford on Saturday.
His team are languishing in 14th place, having scored only five times in seven games, which represents their worst start in 35 years.
But during the pre-match press conference, the Dutch manager once again reiterated that the team was progressing and while recent results have not been up to the mark, he guaranteed the team will end the season on a high just like last term.
“We have to climb a mountain, but that’s top football, sometimes you have to face challenges, but I’m sure we will make a success, just like we did in the last two seasons. I see the good things, good patterns and the good stats that confirms we’re in a good direction, but the ranking doesn’t lie and where we are isn’t good enough.”
EtH on sack rumours
Rumours of a sack have been doing the rounds since the season started and while INEOS decided against pulling the plug during the international break, they will be expecting a turnaround and soon.
Addressing these claims, Ten Hag felt the media was blowing things out of proportion while revealing that his relationship with the new hierarchy remains as strong as ever.
“No, the noise is only coming from the media, from some of you, not all of you, creating stories and fairytales, bringing lies because I know we’re on one page within this club. I said before the break but several journalists probably didn’t believe me. Within the club, it’s quiet.”
But for the team’s luck to change, Ten Hag needs all hands on deck but unfortunately key personnel are currently out injured with Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire the latest to drop out.
In good news, Noussair Mazraoui is back in training and that means the full-back crisis can be averted for now. However, when pressed on Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s returns, the manager said a cautious approach will be taken to avoid further complications.
“Injuries do not help, for sure, you need players available to perform. Kobbie and Harry are out for a couple of weeks, but Mazraoui is good news. He has returned on the training pitch and is available tomorrow.
“We can’t force their return and have to do it clever. We don’t want them to return and quickly drop out, but of course, we hope they come back as soon as possible because this team needs to a left-full back.”
Attackers need to fire
One area where the team has been lagging is upfront with the Red Devils scoring only five times in the league and they have not troubled the scorers in the last three games. But Ten Hag felt the players were improving and that everything will click soon.
“I think the players do well, we won last season, maybe you forgot. When we face problems, sometimes we have to line up teams who are not in the right balance because players aren’t available.
“But I think in general, the players do perform well. We have to start scoring now, which is the most important part of football. We have to improve that part.”
United’s opponents on Saturday have been free-flowing in attack and Thomas Frank is one of the contenders to replace the struggling Dutchman.
Ten Hag will be hoping to get a response from his players at Old Trafford on Saturday or else, it could be curtains very soon irrespective of the brave face he has been putting up in public.
Feature image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
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