Erik ten Hag launches attack on media in scathing rant over Man United 'fairytales'
Today at 10:51 AM
Erik ten Hag has accused the media of brewing up ‘fairytales’ and ‘lies’ when it comes to speculation around his position at Manchester United.
The Red Devils boss remains in charge of the side as they prepare to host Brentford in their first Premier League match after the international break on Saturday 19 October.
There had been speculation that Ten Hag‘s position would not survive the break, as it was suggested his poor start to the season would force the hand of the club bosses.
Man United picked up just eight points in their first seven Premier League games and were embarrassed on more than one occasion with heavy losses coming against Liverpool and Tottenham.
They sit 14th in the Premier League table, with their next opponents Brentford currently three places ahead of them.
Despite managing a goalless draw in an uneventful match against Aston Villa just before the break, many observed that Ten Hag’s position was far from secure.
Yet Ten Hag remains – albeit now under even more pressure to start delivering results with a side which has looked unconvincing at the best of times this season.
And when asked by the media if he had received assurances about his position from above, the Dutchman replied that he had not.
But he also had some biting words for some of his critics as he seemed to indicate that he felt secure in his job.
“Noise is only coming from some of you in the media,” he said. “Creating stories and fairytales, and bringing lies.
“Journalists didn't believe me. I saw the reports. Of course, we are unhappy with the position where we are.
“Ultimately, internally it is quiet and composed. We stick to the plan and are very convinced it will be a success.”
Yet even Ten Hag conceded things needed to improve in many areas in order for Man United to emerge from the season with some successes.
“We have to climb a mountain, that’s top football and sometimes you have to face challenges,” he admitted.
“Sometimes it goes up, sometimes it goes down but I am sure we will make it a success like we did the last two seasons.
“I think we are in a direction, underneath I see good things, I see good patterns, I see also good stats that confirm we are in a good direction but the ranking is not lying. We are where we are and it is not good enough.
“I think the players do well, we won last season. Maybe you forgot and when we face problems sometimes we have to line up teams that were not in the right balance because the players were not available.
“But, in general, the players do perform well and you see now we have to start scoring and that part is the most important part in football.
“If you want to win games you have to score goals. That part we have to improve.
“We are entering the final third, we are entering the box, we are coming in good positions to score but now we have to step up with the most important part is to net.”
Man United have only scored five Premier League goals this season – only Southampton have scored less on four, with Crystal Palace also sitting on five.
To make matters worse, the club’s injury list has now grown longer with Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire now both out ‘for a couple of weeks’.
Ten Hag commented specifically also on the continued absences of Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, with both left-backs having been sidelined.
No doubt a frustrating predicament for the United boss – but he insisted caution was important when it come to their reintegration.
“We can't force their return,” said Ten Hag. “We have to do it very carefully.
“We want them as soon as possible and we need a left back that's for sure. But we don't want to bring them back and lose them.”
