Ten Hag shoulders blame and makes Man Utd sack stance clear after Newcastle loss

01 November 2023 , 23:34

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A dejected Erik ten Hag after Manchester United's 3-0 defeat against Newcastle (Image: Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag vowed to fight to keep his job after the crisis at Manchester United deepened with the holders dumped out of the Carabao Cup.

Ten Hag admitted United are in “a bad place” after Newcastle subjected them to a second successive 3-0 defeat at home following Sunday's derby demolition by Manchester City. Dutchman Ten Hag is now the bookies' second favourite manager to be sacked but said he is a “fighter” and vowed to do all he can to halt United's slide.

“I'm a fighter and I know it's not always going up,” said Ten Hag. “We've had a lot of setbacks this season but you have to deal with it and that's never an excuse. I understand it when the results are not there, that there are questions, but I'm confident. I did it at all my clubs before and also last year here, but at this moment we're in a bad place. I take responsibility for it.

“It's below the standards everyone expects from Manchester United and it's not good enough by far. We have to put it right. It's my team and it's not performing. I have to share it with my players but I am responsible.”

Victorious Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “It was a very good performance from us. The mentality was unbelievable. We're determined to try and do well in every game. We picked a team we felt could win tonight and now we will do the same for Arsenal in our next game.”

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Newcastle right-back Tino Livraminto, who won the Player of the Match award on the night, was proud of his side's performance. He said: "It was a very good night for everyone involved. A lot of new players came into the starting XI and I think it just shows the unity in the squad. Everyone comes in and has the opportunity and takes it and that’s what you need if you want to be a top team."

Manchester United were thrashed at Old Trafford for the second time in four days (James Gill/Getty Images)

Sean Longstaff added: "It's a special night. It was a special night for everyone. We had Emile Krafth playing his first game in over a year - I thought he was unbelievable alongside Paul Dummett.

"You could probably go through the whole team. Tino (Livramento), Lewis Hall - I thought the young lads at full-back were outstanding. It was a great night for us and it shows the togetherness and the depth that we have in the squad."

David McDonnell