Ten Hag says not giving up on United, begs fans

Erik ten Hag insists he remains the right manager for Manchester United after talk he faces sack following another embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to Newcastle United.

Fresh from a painful 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at home in the derby on Sunday, Ten Hag’s men lost by the same scoreline in a matter of days as Newcastle strolled to a revenge-induced victory at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup fifth round.

Read also: Manchester United sale still unclear 24 hours to crucial board meeting

Miguel Almiron, Lewis Hall and Joe Willock got the goals to give Newcastle their biggest win at Old Trafford for 93 years and booked the Magpies a quarter-final spot. United were left humiliated on their patch as they lost five of their first 10 home games for the first time since 1930.

Booed off at half-time and full-time, Ten Hag knows he has to win around the fans now who have turned the heat up themselves.

“I am a fighter and I know it is not always going up,” Ten Hag responds to claims he is under increasing pressure of being sacked.

“We have had a lot of setbacks this season so far, but also you have to deal with it and that is never an excuse.

“I have said that before I know when there are setbacks the routines are not the same, but even then you have to get results in. Obviously, Sunday and tonight were far from that so we have to do things right and at a certain level, at the minimum level to win games.”

Ten Hag also insists he does not have any doubts about his abilities to turn the tide around.

“I understand it when the results are not there,” he said.

“It is also a logical process that they are questioning that. But I am confident I can do it. At all my clubs I have done it and also last year here I did it as well, but at this moment we are in a bad place.

The Dutch tactician admits his team are playing below our standards but urged his side to stick together after losing 3-0 to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

“I take responsibility for it. I see it as a challenge. I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players and that we stick together and fight together, and get better results.”

Read also: Manchester United bid: 12 men who will decide Ratcliffe and voting rules

“It is below the standards everyone expects from Manchester United,” Ten Hag said.

“It is not good enough by far. We have to put it right. I take responsibility for it. It is my team and they are not performing. I have to share it with my players, but I am responsible.”

Man United next face a trip to Fulham on Saturday, before a crucial away trip to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, where only a victory will do in both matches.