Erik Ten Hag revealed that he was requested to not take over as coach of Manchester United earlier than taking on at Previous Trafford, as he thought-about it an “unattainable” job.
The Dutchman has confronted a turbulent begin to his second season on the membership after six defeats in his first 15 Premier League matches, whereas they face an uphill wrestle to qualify for the Champions League knockout phases with one group sport remaining.
United have gained 4 of their final six video games, reviving their top-four hopes – however Ten Hag’s facet stay unconvincing on and off the pitch.
The 53-year-old mentioned: “Everybody was telling me: ‘You may’t succeed on this job.’ They mentioned it was unattainable. Me? I wished a problem.” United we stand com. fanzine.
“I knew it would not be straightforward, nevertheless it was an amazing membership with an amazing fan base.
“Individuals like Manchester United, or they’re in opposition to Manchester United. I like golf equipment like that. Ajax was like that.”
United took factors from a top-half opponent for the primary time this season with a deserved 2-1 win over Chelsea at Previous Trafford on Wednesday, after struggling days of experiences of disharmony within the dressing room on the again of Saturday’s poor defeat to Newcastle.
After the Chelsea sport, Ten Hag insisted that the issues surrounding the membership this season – together with their worst begin to the season since their first 15 video games in six a long time, in addition to quite a few off-field points – had by no means reached disaster level regardless of the hype coming. From exterior Previous Trafford.
“We began very effectively, very dynamic, courageous and proactive,” he mentioned in his post-match press convention. “We created numerous possibilities in that second, and we might have been two or three objectives forward.
“We managed the opposition on and off the ball. The best way the staff performed was very pleasant. It did not really feel like a disaster for us. We saved calm, labored on the method and we all know the place now we have to construct and what now we have to construct on.”
“We’re transferring in the suitable route, we’re not distracted by the criticism round us, we’re very important of ourselves and we all know that we don’t really feel glad rapidly, and we need to do higher.
“If we do issues poorly, we need to right that and we need to proceed that course of. The season is lengthy, and now we have to enhance quite a bit if we need to achieve success, however this staff is able to that.”
Ten Hag: Manchester United is not going to spend a lot in January
The Christmas and New Yr interval will deliver a improbable few weeks at Previous Trafford, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s funding within the membership set to be accomplished subsequent week, which comes simply earlier than the January switch window opens.
However regardless of an unconvincing begin to the season, Ten Hag doesn’t consider United will spend large within the January switch window.
“I don “t suppose so [we will spend a lot]“As a membership you need to search for enhancements, so if yow will discover higher and it’s practical financially and with Monetary Honest Play, the membership ought to go together with it,” he mentioned.
“However more often than not you do not appeal to the perfect gamers within the winter.”
Manchester United’s subsequent eight matches
December 9: Bournemouth (residence), English Premier League, begin at 3pm
December 12: Bayern Munich (residence), Champions League, begin at 8pm
December 17: Liverpool (A), English Premier League, reside on Sky Sports activities, kick-off at 4.30pm
December 23: West Ham (A), Premier League, kick-off at 12.30pm
December 26: Aston Villa (H), Premier League, 8pm
December 30: Nottingham Forest (A), English Premier League, reside on Sky Sports activities, kick-off at 5.30pm.
January 8: Wigan Athletic (A), FA Cup third spherical, match kicks off at 8.15pm.
January 14: Tottenham (residence), Premier League, reside on Sky Sports activities, kick-off at 4.30pm.