- Manager “not thinking about” job security
- United 12th in top flight after 3-0 Spurs loss
Manchester United have just seven points from their first six Premier League games, scoring five goals in that time; Erik ten Hag, into his third season at Old Trafford, is confident he will be given time by the club’s decision-makers as the pressure ramps up on his position
Erik ten Hag sack claim and Bruno Fernandes’ verdict to his red card
Erik ten Hag denied any concern that he may be sacked by Manchester United after Tottenham’s 3-0 humiliation of his side at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United were in disarray from Brennan Johnson’s third-minute opener, before Bruno Fernandes was sent off later in the first half. Dejan Kulusevksi and Dominic Solanke scored for the visitors after the break.
This was the second 3-0 home league defeat in a row, following that against Liverpool at the start of the month. United are in 12th place with seven points from six games, with a goal difference of minus three. Ten Hag was asked if the executives, who are led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, may decide a change of manager is needed.
“I am not thinking about this,” Ten Hag said. “We all made in the summer the decision to stay together, as an ownership, a leadership group. Also we made the decision from a clear review what we have to improve and how we want to construct a squad. But we knew it will take some time, how the window went, some players late in like [Manuel] Ugarte.
Talk about Bruno can’t mask United’s sorry truth…….
Ten Hag claimed the red card shown to captain Bruno Fernandes three minutes before half-time “changed the game”. It did not. United’s manager is deluding only himself if he believes this. It made United’s task even harder, but Spurs were threatening to run riot even before Fernandes’ dismissal.
If it was decided to stage a world straw-clutching championship, Ten Hag would have a good chance of winning with that one.
And let’s not forget this was a Spurs side stripped of their injured talisman Son Heung-min. Son’s replacement Timo Werner actually spared United further punishment, confirming he remains a willing trier but a thoroughly unreliable finisher, twice shooting lamely at United keeper Andre Onana when clean through.
It was a tough day for Ten Hag’s latest signing, Manuel Ugarte, who got nowhere near the Spurs midfield, while Joshua Zirkzee, hooked at half-time, as yet shows no sign of adding any of the cutting edge he was bought for at a cost of £36.54m.
Erik ten Hag’s words on Leny Yoro injury update…..
Erik ten Hag has provided a positive update around Leny Yoro’s recovery from a broken foot by simply saying: “Yes, he is doing very well.”
The injury required surgery and while an exact return date is not being pencilled in by United’s medical staff, Ten Hag – who is again under pressure following recent results – is happy with how the French youngster’s rehabilitation programme is progressing.
Yoro, 18, was pictured putting some work in at Carrington earlier this week and, in an interview with club media, Ten Hag said: “It is very pleasing that his rehab is going in the right direction and I expect him soon, but what I mean by soon, is that he is now in the right planning process.
“He is in the right spot and he will return as soon as possible into the squad and then the team training.”
Yoro sustained his injury in the same game that led to striker Rasmus Hojlund departing with an injury from which he has only recently recovered.
Ten Hag claim
Robbie Savage has claimed that Erik ten Hag’s time at Manchester United is coming to an end following their humiliating defeat against Tottenham. The Dutchman is under increasing pressure after United’s disappointing start to the season, which has seen them collect seven points from their first six Premier League matches.
Speaking on BBC Sport, ex-Birmingham and Leicester midfielder Savage didn’t hold back in his assessment of the situation. “I think his time might be up,” he said. “I think they’ve got to make a big decision this week.”
