Defiant ten Hag Not Saying Goodbye
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As Manchester United wraps up its disastrous Premier League campaign, manager Erik ten Hag faces ongoing uncertainty about his future with the club. Despite the speculation, ten Hag has made it clear that the post-match activities following their last home game of the season against Newcastle United at Old Trafford will not serve as his farewell.
End of Season Activities
After the match, ten Hag and the team will participate in a lap of appreciation. This gesture is an Old Trafford tradition meant to thank the fans for their support throughout the season, but ten Hag emphasized that it should not be interpreted as a personal goodbye. “Goodbye? For me? It’s not how I feel it and how I see it,” ten Hag remarked at a news conference, dispelling any rumors that this might be his last appearance at Old Trafford.
“It’s not the way I go to start that lap of honour for the fans, no. Through good times and bad times we are together and the fans show it; that we are together. So we will do a lap of honour.”
Continued Support Amidst Challenges
Despite what could be Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League finish, ten Hag noted that he still enjoys considerable support from the club’s fans. This support is evident both in the stands during matches and in his everyday interactions. “In the stadium, away and home, they are always backing the team and backing me,” ten Hag stated, acknowledging the encouragement he receives from supporters.
“Also when I’m in the streets, many, many come to me – maybe it is just polite, but I don’t feel it like this.”
Decision Pending
The final decision on ten Hag’s future will likely come after the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25. New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has yet to make a public statement regarding ten Hag’s role, leaving the manager’s fate hanging in the balance as the season concludes.
Understanding from the Fanbase
Ten Hag expressed appreciation for the fans’ understanding of the club’s current transitional phase and the significant obstacles it has faced, particularly in key areas of the squad. This sentiment reflects a recognition of the complex challenges he has navigated since taking charge. “I almost never get a negative reaction because the fans understand where we are. The fans understand this club is in a transition and the fans understand the huge problems we’ve had to face and especially positions in key areas.”,” he explained, outlining the broader context of his tenure.
As Manchester United prepares to close an ugly chapter in its storied history, the focus remains not only on the impending FA Cup final but also on the strategic decisions that will shape the club’s future. Erik ten Hag’s leadership, under intense scrutiny this season, will soon be evaluated in the context of the team’s overall trajectory and his potential to lead them forward.
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![Headline: Ten Hag Laments Manchester United's Defensive Lapses in 3-3 Europa League Draw Against FC Porto Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag criticised his players for "switching off" during their 3-3 draw against FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday. Despite taking a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes at Estadio do Dragao, United conceded twice in seven minutes to go into half-time level, before falling behind early in the second half. In a post-match news conference, Ten Hag expressed his mixed feelings about the result, saying, "We scored two great goals and then we switched off. We don't keep possession and defending, we're switching off. We concede the first goal totally unnecessary and then you light up the fire in this stadium and it becomes very tough." The Dutch manager revealed that he addressed the issues at half-time, but was disappointed with his team's defending for the third goal. "We addressed it at half-time and then you concede a third one, so unnecessary. It's no good defending again. That's also to do with some willingness in some moments," he said. Ten Hag also had to defend his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time, despite the forward scoring United's opening goal and looking sharp throughout the first half. Initially, the manager stated that the substitution was made to keep Rashford fresh for the upcoming match against Aston Villa on Sunday. However, he later hinted that the change was made because both of Porto's first-half goals had come from crosses on Rashford's side of the pitch. "Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far and also in many other games," Ten Hag explained. "I think in the season as I assess it so far, he is bringing us so far the offensive threat by creating chances, assists, also scoring. Garnacho, we also had to play him as well and we have two very good players over that side." He added, "I have to watch [the game] back and I think over the left side definitely we didn't defend well tonight and Marcus also played a part in this. But, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy." Despite the disappointing result, United managed to salvage a point thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from substitute Harry Maguire. The draw leaves Manchester United with work to do in their quest to progress in the Europa League.](https://futbolchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FC-Porto-v-Manchester-United-UEFA-Europa-League-202425-League-Phase-MD2-5.jpg)
Ten Hag Laments Manchester United’s Defensive Lapses in 3-3 Europa League Draw Against FC Porto
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