Erik ten Hag remains convinced that he is the right man to lead Manchester United despite Crystal Palace hammering
Erik ten Hag is sitting on a throne of thorns at Manchester United and at Crystal Palace, he has come to realise that being uncomfortable is the least of his concerns.
In what was a must win game for the Red Devils, the Manchester United players lacked fight and ambition. They folded at Selhurst Park, handing Crystal Palace a resounding 4-0 win on the night. This marks the first time that the Eagles have done the league double over United in the Premier League.
It was also the Red Devils 13th Premier League loss of the campaign, another low in club history in the Premier League era. Managers have been dismissed for lesser but for now, Ten Hag continues to remain defiant.
Speaking to Sky Sports (h/t The Mirror) after the game, Ten Hag refused to throw in the towel and has promised to keep fighting. With title chasing Arsenal up next at Old Trafford, the time is now for the Dutchman to show that he can walk the talk.
“I prepared the team in the best way I could do. It was not good enough – by far not good enough – I have to take the responsibility for that. But I will find energy and I will prepare them for Sunday’s game.”
Ten Hag also indicated the difficulties his side have faced this season with injuries. This is especially true in the defensive options. With several top names missing, life is undoubtably going to be hard.
“If the right players are there and available, we have a good squad, but we missed almost a whole back line and then we have problems.”
Blind to the problems?
While one can sympathise with Ten Hag, it is also noteworthy that he has struggled to come up with solutions to problems. It is difficult to see the Dutchman come up with excuses when rival managers like Jurgen Klopp have dealt better with his injury concerns.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is an ambitious man and the way the current season is going will not endear the manager to his bosses. Likely to miss European qualification altogether, United are now set to finish at a maximum of 63 points. Even if we win all of our remaining games, United are set to finish with their lowest Premier League point tally.
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As things stand, stopping Arsenal from securing the Premier League title will prove to be United’s biggest flex of the 2023-24 league campaign. Following the draw against Liverpool at Old Trafford, Jurgen Klopp claimed that should United put in a similar display against Arsenal, they would be routed. Perhaps he is more in tune with the reality of what is happening at the Theatre of Dreams than Ten Hag.
The Dutchman has four games left this season to save himself. With Bayern Munich also watching, it remains to be seen if he can turn things around. After all, if he cannot get his side to play for pride, what more can he manage?
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