Erik ten Hag sends message to doubters but damning record shows Manchester United boss may not get the time
Yesterday at 06:44 PM
Erik ten Hag insists it’s too early to judge Manchester United’s season despite extending their winless run in the Europa League.
Harry Maguire salvaged a point for United with a late goal in their 3-3 draw away at Porto in which they earlier led 2-0 on the night.
Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund scored in the first 20 minutes but Porto fought back, with former Chelsea target Samu Omorodion netting two goals.
United have picked up only two points in the Europa League so far and sit 21st in the table, just four spots above the bottom 12.
It follows a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham after which talkSPORT reported the club will stick with Ten Hag for at least the next two games – Porto and Aston Villa.
A win against Villa on Sunday now looks even more crucial, but Ten Hag believes that improvement and progress will come at United.
When asked by TNT Sports after the draw against Porto if their performance gave fans enough to believe in his future at the club.
“We will get there,” he defiantly said. “Don’t judge us in this moment, judge us at the end of the season. I said the same last season, just wait.
“We are in a process, we will improve. We have now had two seasons where we achieved finals, just wait, we have to develop and progress this team.”
Ten Hag was then questioned on if he will get until the end of the season if United’s performances continue this way, and replied: “We will work, we will continue, we will fight. You see the spirit and the connection between the staff and the team.
“And the players together, and a strong spirit. They want to achieve and we are in a direction, we have that good mentality, spirit-wise, but especially with some defending parts, we have to step up.”
Thursday’s result will cause concern amongst fans as no Premier League side have conceded three or more goals in a match across all competitions more times than United since Ten Hag joined in 2022.
The draw against Porto was the 24th time they have done so under the Dutchman, and the third occasion of the season so far.
As well as this, United are winless in their last five European matches despite leading by at least two goals in three of them, drawing three and losing two.
They have also failed to win each of the last four occasions in which they have held a two-goal advantage in a European match, instead drawing three and losing one.
Across their nine games in all competitions this season, United have won three, drawn three and lost three.
Two of their victories have come in the Premier League against Fulham and Southampton, with the other triumph coming as a 7-0 thrashing of League One Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
United have drawn with Crystal Palace in the league, as well as FC Twente and now Porto in the Europa League.
Defeats against Brighton, Liverpool and Spurs have all contributed to their current Premier League standing of 13th, with a tough test now awaiting them at Villa on Sunday before the international break.
