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Tag: Ten Hag

  • Ten Hag believes in under-fire Harry Maguire

    Ten Hag believes in under-fire Harry Maguire

    Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have returned to training ahead of the Manchester derby but under-fire Harry Maguire will be absent.

    But Maguire is a player Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is convinced will turn things around.

    The improving Red Devils will this weekend play their first English Premier League (EPL) match since beating Arsenal 3-1 on Sept. 4.

    This was after the Crystal Palace and Leeds United fixtures were called off following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

    High-flying neighbours Manchester City are sure to provide a stern test for Manchester United, who go looking for a fifth successive Premier League victory without skipper Maguire in the squad.

    The centre-back picked up a knock during the international break with England —- a period that forwards Rashford and Martial spent working their way back to fitness.

    “Harry Maguire is injured,” Ten Hag said. “I think for the rest we have some doubts with Anthony Martial.

    “But he was training all week with the group. So, I’m really happy with that situation. He’s performing really well in training, he makes a good impression.

    “Rashford, he returns into training. So, also, we are happy with that. For the rest, I think only the long-term injuries like Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams are not available.”

    Maguire played the entirety of England’s loss to Italy last Friday.

    That was before completing another 90 minutes against Germany, when he gave away a penalty kick and lost possession before the visitors’ second at Wembley.

    That display led to renewed talk about Gareth Southgate’s loyalty to the 29-year-old, who has been out of form and favour at Manchester United this season.

    But Ten Hag, like the England manager, retains faith in Maguire and is certain he will improve.

    “First of all, of course I have to coach him. I have to back him,” the Manchester United manager said. “But I back him because I believe in him.

    “In the period I worked with him in pre-season was good, I think I will say really good —- training and games.

    “Then he fell out (of the starting line-up). But it’s also to do with the good performance of the centre-backs who are playing now.

    “But I can see the qualities. Even after he wasn’t in the team, he trained really well but more important the quality was really there.

    “You see his career, almost 50 caps for England. With Leicester City and Manchester United, he’s performing really well. So, what you see is he has a high potential.

    “Then it’s about him. The players in the dressing room, the coaches, the manager, we all believe in him. Now it is about him.

    “That is what I told him. I’m sure he can do it. He will turn around this. I am really convinced of that.”

    Asked about the potential mental health impact on widely-criticised players like Maguire, Ten Hag said: “But it’s an aspect of top football, it’s an aspect of our work.

    “We set conditions for that as manager. We also have experts around to help, to coach the players, the team in the right direction.

    “I think he’s doing quite well, but every player has room for improvement and if he believes in his skills he will quickly be back on the level and even more than he did.

    “Once again, I am convinced of that because I see his capabilities and it’s really high.”

    Ten Hag heads into his first Manchester derby fresh from being named Premier League Manager of the month for September, with Rashford winning the players’ award.

    The Dutchman says that shows they are heading in the “right direction”.

    But he also knows there is plenty of room for improvement as he prepares to try and stop Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

    Furthermore, Ten Hag will pit his wits against a man he knows well as Pep Guardiola was manager of Bayern Munich when the Manchester United manager coached the second team.

    “We don’t play against Haaland,” he said. “We play against Manchester City.

    “They have a team, more than 11 players. But also we are convinced of our capabilities and if we act as a team, in and out of possession, then you can beat such opponents.

    “That is the belief we have to take with us when we line up, when we start the game and we do it over more than 90 minutes on Sunday.”

  • England coach, Southgate criticizes Ten Hag over his treatment of Maguire

    England coach, Southgate criticizes Ten Hag over his treatment of Maguire

    England national team coach, Gareth Southgate has criticized the coach of English Club side Manchester United, over what he described as the big agenda against Harry Maguire.

    Southgate lamented the ill-treatment meted out to Maguire by Ten Hag, saying that the big defender deserves to be treated with respect.

    Southgate said he has not seen a player treated the way Maguire is being handled at Manchester United with the 29-year-old dropped from the United XI following the season-opening defeats to Brighton and Brentford.

    United’s Dutch manager now prefers the combination summer signing Lisandro Martinez and Varane in his central defence.

    However, the decision to drop the defender has paid off  as Manchester united have conceded fewer goals so far and have recorded victories in their last three EPL games.

    Meanwhile,  Southgate received some backlashes following the inclusion of Maguire in the England squad, with the 29-year-old starting Friday’s Nations League clash against Italy.

    “But, for some reason there’s a big agenda with Harry Maguire and a big agenda against him,” Southgate told Channel 4.

    “I’ve never known a player receive the sort of treatment that he has.

    “He’s been a crucial part of us getting to a World Cup semi-final, he was named in the Team of the Tournament at the Euros.

    “He knows what we think of him. He’s been, basically across that period, our most important defender.”

    However, England national team has been relegated following its poor run of form that saw them winless in the last five games in the Europe Nations League.

  • Ten Hag signed players who’ll go to war for him – De Jong

    Ten Hag signed players who’ll go to war for him – De Jong

    Former Netherlands international, Nigel de Jong says Manchester United is being transformed under manager Erik ten Hag.

    De Jong reckons Ten Hag has already tackled the task by signing players like Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, and Antony, who will “go to war” for him.

    He said: “Erik has 23 egos in his squad at Man United. You can have the best players in the world, but you can only start building a proper side when you can turn all those egos into a team.

    “Ten Hag has chosen his players carefully. I can see one thing, he has picked players with whom he can win a war. I can see the strategy already. Look at Martinez in the team. He has that killer mentality. Martinez will run through fire for Ten Hag.

    “Antony is adding swagger. He too has a mentality what we call ‘over my dead body’. I have seen that side of Antony plenty of times. United have done really good business in my opinion. The spirit in the team has changed.

    “Last year, if they conceded a goal, the team collapsed like a house of playing cards. Now, we can all see the energy and strong mentality in the United team. There is a real team on the pitch again.”

    And he can already see the Dutchman’s impact at Old Trafford. De Jong added: “Ten Hag has already convinced the players that they need to operate as a team.

    “It is all about fighting for every yard and working hard. That is what the players need to know. That is a start. Then results will follow. At this moment, United are still scoring more goals from counter-attacks than from a dominant style of football.

    “But the main thing is that they are winning games and for Ten Hag, that is how he can bring more confidence into the team. Eventually, he can get them to play the way he wants.”

  • Manchester United coach, Ten Hag speaks on club’s victory over Liverpool

    Manchester United coach, Ten Hag speaks on club’s victory over Liverpool

    Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag has heaped praises on his boys for grinding out a win over Liverpool in the Premier League first time in many attempts.

    Ten Hag praised his side’s attitude and fighting spirit following their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Monday.

    Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford gave the Reds a 2-0 lead before Liverpool’s Salah pulled one back late in the match.

    It was Ten Hag’s first win in charge of United after taking over this summer.

    Speaking to Sky Sports, the Dutchman said: “We can talk about tactics but it is all about attitude. There was communication and a fighting spirit.

    “It is not always about what I said. I said we have to act and not talk a lot and make sure you are a team and battle and be brave and give each other options.”

    Liverpool are yet to win a game after playing three games in the English Premier League in the season 2022/23.

  • Ronaldo can’t be blamed for Brentford defeat – Ten Hag

    Ronaldo can’t be blamed for Brentford defeat – Ten Hag

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted Ronaldo should not be pointed out for defeat to Brentford.

    Ten Hag again stated he expects Cristiano Ronaldo to stay.

    The Dutchman also was asked today about a deal for Casemiro.

    United have struck a €60million deal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, who has agreed personal terms with the club.

    “No. I cannot tell anything,” Ten Hag replied when asked about Casemiro. Ten Hag again bristled at questions about Cristiano Ronaldo.

    “I don’t know why he’s a particular focus after Saturday,” he complained. “It was the team performance, the whole team’s attitude, including Ronaldo.

    “He’s in our plans, that’s what I can say.”

  • Ronaldo clash with Man Utd coach after Brentford thrashing

    Ronaldo clash with Man Utd coach after Brentford thrashing

    Cristiano Ronaldo clashed with assistant coach Steve McClaren after Manchester United’s 4-0 meltdown at Brentford.

    McClaren was seen urging the Portugal hero to walk over to the furious travelling hordes.

    But instead Ronaldo exchanged what seemed curt words with McClaren and quickly headed off the pitch – reluctantly crossing the path of manager Erik ten Hag.

    Ronaldo also appeared to duck out of a handshake with Ten Hag as he headed swiftly for the tunnel rather than go to away supporters.

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  • How Man Utd has reacted to Brighton loss – Ten Hag

    How Man Utd has reacted to Brighton loss – Ten Hag

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his team has been working this week on the mistakes made in defeat to Brighton.

    United face Brentford in London tomorrow.

    Ten Hag said: “After every game, I analyse what went wrong and where we can improve, where we have to improve, and how we have to train.

    “We tell and show the players this too, to give them the solutions.

    “We learnt a lot [from the first game] but it’s normal when you start a season, every season in that part is the same.

    “You have a new start, you make mistakes. Football is a game of mistakes, so we know we have to improve in many factors.

    “I know there is always pressure, I have the experience, how it is, I know we have to win every game, I know the fans, I know everyone expects Manchester United to win every game, we have to deal with that and all I can do is prepare the team as well as I can this weekend.”

    On Brentford, he added: “Every game is hard. Really good (team), same as last week, Brighton, they have a team and coach long together and a good structure…”

  • We looked better with Ronaldo – Ten Hag reacts after Brighton defeat

    We looked better with Ronaldo – Ten Hag reacts after Brighton defeat

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag admits defeat at home to Brighton was a “definite setback”.

    Pascal Gross had Brighton 2-0 up before an own goal from Alexis Mac Allister offered United some hope.

    Ten Hag said, “Definitely a setback. A real disappointment this but we have to deal with it. I knew from the start it would not be easy, it is a process and it takes time but we don’t have time, we have to win games. We should have done it better.

    “I analysed it and it was unnecessary how we gave away two easy balls. I think the organisation was a big mistake. We have to analyse and have to take the lessons.”

    Asked if he was happy with Cristiano Ronaldo in the second-half, Ten Hag continued: “I think so. It was clear to see the second half we were better in the midfield with Eriksen down and Ronaldo up, then we created. It was a pity we didn’t score then.

    “It all takes time, you cannot force it. He is one week in training, a little bit more now. He has to do more to get fit and this game will help him. He will be better next week.

    “I am not satisfied, totally not happy because we lost and it was totally not necessary. We should have done things better.

    “I knew before it was not easy to construct it and develop it, this takes time but I know at the top you don’t have time.

    “The reaction in the second half we were acting as one team, we were battling for the result. It wasn’t that we didn’t battle or didn’t have the right attitude, we made mistakes.

    “We have to take the lessons and learn from it.”

  • Man Utd coach Ten Hag to bench Ronaldo against Brighton

    Man Utd coach Ten Hag to bench Ronaldo against Brighton

    Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has decided to bench Cristiano Ronaldo for their Premier League opener against Brighton.

    The Sun says Ronaldo made his United return against Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano – playing just 45 minutes before departing the ground ahead of the full-time whistle.

    Therefore, Erik ten Hag has decided that Ronaldo will start United’s opening game of the Premier League season against Brighton on the bench.

    The Dutch manager is set to reward Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford with a place in the starting XI after impressing during their pre-season campaign.

    However, ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Martial just four days out from their Premier League opener against Brighton on Sunday.

    The Frenchman picked up an injury in United’s 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in pre-season, leaving the pitch after an hour holding his hamstring.

  • Erik ten Hag makes Martial transfer decision

    Erik ten Hag makes Martial transfer decision

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag won’t consider offers for Anthony Martial this summer.

    Ten Hag has been impressed by Martial in the preseason and has decided if he is not for sale.

    Martial returned to United this summer, after spending the second-half of last season on-loan a Sevilla.

    The Mirror says United were open to Martial leaving or going out on loan again before the September 1 transfer deadline, but ten Hag has put a block on that having seen him play over the past few weeks.

    With Ronaldo’s future unsure, after United’s most high-profile player let it be known he was open to a move away this summer, ten Hag feels he cannot afford to let Martial go.