Erik Ten Hag Not Afraid Of United Sack After Tottenham Horror-Show

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has insisted that he does not fear losing his job despite the team’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat against Tottenham on Sunday. The loss marked a continuation of United’s recent struggles, with the team winning just three out of their last eight games this season.

The match against Spurs was particularly challenging for United, as they had to play with 10 men for a significant portion of the game due to Bruno Fernandes’ red card in the first half. However, Ten Hag acknowledged that his team was outplayed even when they had a full squad on the pitch.

Despite the mounting pressure, the Dutch manager remains confident in his position, stating, “I am not thinking about this.” He emphasized that the decision to appoint him was based on a thorough review of what needed to be improved and how to construct the squad, acknowledging that the process would take time. “We need some time. We are all on one page or in one boat together. The ownership, the staff and the players as well. I don’t have that concern,” Ten Hag added.

The United boss expressed his frustration with the team’s defensive lapses, particularly the similarity between the goals conceded against FC Twente in the Europa League and Spurs in the Premier League. In both instances, opposition defenders were able to dribble through the entire United team to create scoring opportunities. Ten Hag stressed that such mistakes should not happen, especially after addressing the issue “so loud and clear.”

When asked if he believes his players are still listening to his instructions, Ten Hag responded with a firm “Yes I am.” However, he reiterated the importance of learning from these mistakes as a team, stating, “It can’t happen twice in four days that a defender can dribble through the whole team. You can’t make such mistakes in football.”

Looking ahead, United face a challenging week with tough away fixtures against FC Porto and Aston Villa. The match at Villa Park on Sunday will be their last before the international break, and another poor performance could intensify calls for Ten Hag’s dismissal. Despite the pressure, the manager remains focused on the future, saying, “There is always a new game. It will be a new day and it is also obvious you have to learn as a team.”

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.