28 October 2023 , 22:30
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Erik ten Hag insists his players are not inhibited by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent arrival at Manchester United.
But the Dutchman’s claim that the Reds have improved since last season may not impress the billionaire tasked with bringing the glory days back to Old Trafford. United have won their last three games after a wretched start to the season which saw them beaten in four of their opening eight Premier League outings and defeated in the Champions League by Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
There have been suggestions that Ratcliffe, who is closing in on a £1.3billion deal to buy a 25 percent stake in the club, is already running the rule over Ten Hag’s players and the manager himself ahead of assuming control of United’s football operations.
However, Ten Hag insists that statistics prove that United are the pressing kings of the Premier League - despite mediocre performances prompting a scathing assessment from TV pundit Jamie Carragher that the Reds have gone backwards.
Ten Hag said: “They (the players) are committed to the club - but especially they are committed to this team.
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“They want to be successful and are therefore aware you need the team, your team-mates and cooperation. When the cooperation is growing, you will play better. That is how the players are thinking - and they are not thinking about strategic reviews or structures or whatever.
“I have said that in possession we have to do better. But there are reasons for that. It is something I am not going into, but everyone can see why. But there are also facts so I disagree (with Carragher). We are much better.
“We are top Premier League in high-ball regains, we are top Premier League in middle-ball regains. So our pressing is always very good. So there is no truth in what he (Carragher) is saying.”
Keeper Andre Onana was United’s hero in Tuesday night’s Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen after saving an injury-time penalty to secure a vital 1-0 win. Onana was signed to help Ten Hag’s team to build from the back - but has taken time to settle following £40million arrival from Inter Milan.
Ten Hag said: “The first job of a keeper is to save his goal. That’s his first and main job - and don’t forget that.
“But, yes, he is a keeper who we can use as an extra player and if we are developing he can be more progressive even higher up the pitch as an extra player, so that's an advantage. It also depends on the opposition, like how strong their press is, for instance.
“Also, how good is the team around him? Is it possible? In my philosophy, he has to do it every game, but it is not always possible, so you have to adapt - and this is what we try to make clear.
“Even if you’re not playing well, if the team is not playing well or you’re not playing to the standards you expect, you still have to win. And to find a way to win, sometimes you have to be pragmatic.”