Ten Hag bullish he can lead new United era despite shocking run

First loss to Nottingham Forest since 1994 rings up 14th defeat of the season as under-pressure manager bemoans injury absences

Sat, 30 Dec, 2023 - 22:15

Ben Fisher

Erik ten Hag said it is clear Manchester United are underperforming after falling to a ninth Premier League defeat of the season but he is confident he will convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe he is the best manager to lead the club in the long term. Defeat at Nottingham Forest means United have lost five of their past eight games in all competitions and 14 before the turn of the year for the first time since the 1930-31 season.

Ten Hag previously said he was looking forward to working with Ratcliffe, who has taken control of football operations after acquiring a 25% stake in the club. The United manager said he and Ratcliffe will set “high targets” when they meet. Sir Dave Brailsford, the Ineos director of sport who is poised to take a prominent role on United’s football board and report to Ratcliffe, was in the directors’ box at the City Ground alongside legendary former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

“They know me and they know when I have the squad what is available then the results will be there,” Ten Hag said. “We have already proved against the top teams that we can go head to head. I am convinced and I have strong belief that we can get progress in this team and get more consistency than this moment. It is part of a project. We were overperforming last year, this year – so far – we are underperforming and we have to do better. We have to step up. I have to lead the process.”

Asked if he believes United’s fortunes will improve, Ten Hag replied: “Of course I believe that. I know when [injured] players return, I’m sure this side will be stronger.”

Ten Hag bemoaned the absence of the striker Rasmus Højlund, who missed United’s fifth defeat in their past eight matches through illness, and said needing to change the team that overcame Aston Villa on Boxing Day disrupted their rhythm.

“One thing is for sure, if every time you have to swap [the team] the routines are not there,” the Dutchman said. “Top footballers go quick so you need communication in split-moments. There was one counterattack [for Forest’s winning goal] where we probably were not too good defending as a team. He [Brailsford] will see we have our problems. You want to build on Tuesday but you have to replace your striker.”

Morgan Gibbs-White struck Forest’s winner on 82 minutes to earn successive wins for the former Wolves head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, who replaced Steve Cooper this month. “At Wolves I had my best times growing up under [Nuno] and I learned so much,” Gibbs-White said. “But I needed time to develop. Now, I’ve got that game experience and have matured as a man. I feel we have an incredible relationship now and it’s starting to show on the pitch.”

Guardian