Ten Hag demands Man Utd response in fierce warning to under-performing squad
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United's players cannot afford to “feel sorry for ourselves” if they want to salvage their crisis-hit season.
United are still reeling from Sunday's humiliating 3-0 defeat to local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford, which condemned Ten Hag's side to a fifth defeat in 10 league games.
It is United's worst start to a league campaign since 1986 and Ten Hag's side host Newcastle tonight as they continue the defence of the Carabao Cup they won against Eddie Howe's side.
Ten Hag warned his players there is no time to sulk and they must halt the team's slide – starting against Newcastle. “There is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves at this moment in time,” said Ten Hag.
“Nobody at this club enjoys defeat, particularly in a Manchester derby, but everything we have achieved together so far has been built on looking forward, which means we have to move on quickly from what happens, whether it's positive or negative.
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“We have never spent too long enjoying our victories, so we will not spend too much time thinking about our losses. We must always look forward together.”
Addressing fans in United Review, Ten Hag added: “I continue to believe in these players and am confident we will improve after a difficult start to the season.
“Before the derby, we won three games in a row and demonstrated our character on each occasion, so we have developed in recent weeks. At United, every game involves high stakes. Every single day, there is pressure on everybody involved with this club, but those demands and standards are a challenge we must always meet head-on.
Ten Hag cuts a frustrated figure during the Manchester derby (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)“While this has not been the start to the season we had all hoped for, I am certain we have the talent and attitude as a collective to move in the right direction. I believe it is only a matter of time before we are showing our true selves. It will come, I am certain.”
Ten Hag is ready to shuffle his personnel. The United boss is ready to get ruthless with his under-performing players and wield the axe. Second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir could make his United debut in place of Andre Onana, while Marcus Rashford, who has one goal in 13 games, is likely to be dropped.
Ten Hag is poised to give his fringe players a chance to prove themselves, after his established stars let him down so badly against Treble winners City.
That could see starts for young duo Alejandro Garnacho and Hannibal, and a return to the starting line-up for Raphael Varane, Sergio Reguilon, Antony and Mason Mount.
Ten Hag is also mindful of the short recovery time between tonight's game and Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off at Fulham, a game in which United cannot afford to lose again.
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