“We have to win and I don’t want to find excuses if we’re not,” a defiant Erik ten Hag said in November about Manchester United’s dismal start to the season.
United had just suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats at Old Trafford against Manchester City and Newcastle – two chastening results – and the pressure had increased on Ten Hag, who came out fighting in his press conference and reiterated there could be no excuses.
Ten Hag conceded analysis of performances must be ‘pragmatic’ due to the number of players unavailable but refused to give excuses for the disappointing results outright.
However, the injury crisis has not relented and results have continued to be hit-and-miss, which has led to a gradual, yet noticeable, change in the manager’s stance.
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United are 13 points adrift of the Champions League qualification places and potentially winning the FA Cup is the only glimmer of light remaining this season.
There is no doubt about it, Ten Hag is fighting for his future at Old Trafford and many believe performances since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a minority stake haven’t been good enough to persuade the British billionaire that he’s the right manager for next season.
Although the unfortunate hand Ten Hag has been dealt with injuries must be considered when deciding on his future, the bottom line is United should be playing better.
It’s fascinating Ten Hag has gone from refusing to blame injuries in the first half of the season, to going out of his way to discuss them in recent press conferences.
The pressure has increased another notch. Ten Hag holds office at the most scrutinised club in the world and he’s, understandably, been affected by the noise around his job.
When Ten Hag was asked about outside opinions in the embargoed section of his pre-Coventry press conference, he became animated and pointed to injuries again.
“No, I don’t have any concern about what is said on the outside. What concerns me is that in 18 months I have never had my favourite team on the pitch,” said Ten Hag.
“That concerns me. Because the players are injured. One time [I could pick my strongest XI] was against City last season in the home game.
“That was the only time where we had a full squad, where I can pick my team and in all the other games there was always an injury aspect where we have to deal with. That is normal in football but not so many as we have had.
“And I know when we have so many injuries as we have had and on crucial key positions, you can’t deliver the results you want to bring and that is okay. But that is my truth. And others can have a different truth. But I can’t put energy in that.”
After the press conference finished, the chatter among journalists was about Ten Hag’s claim he’d only been able to pick his strongest team once in 18 months.
The Dutchman referenced United’s win over City at the start of 2023 but appeared to have forgotten his strongest squad was available in recent wins over Wolves and West Ham.
Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Casemiro, who have all struggled with injuries this season, featured in those two games and United claimed six points.
Also, it didn’t make sense to reference last season’s win against City because Tyrell Malacia started that game and Diogo Dalot was absent from the squad.
Ten Hag continued: “I don’t put energy into this, if I’m judged fairly or not. I know what we are doing here, why I’m here, to bring trophies, to also create economic value.
“So we are working on those and in a process you have setbacks. I look at this and can see it realistically, so I see the nuance, some comments miss that.
“But I can’t be bothered about it, can’t go into emotions. I see it realistic, rational, and I’m only focussing on my team, to improve the team and individuals. That’s why I’m here.”
This weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry was on the agenda and Mark Robins, who saved Sir Alex Ferguson from the sack, manages the Sky Blues.
“Yes, I know,” Ten Hag said about Robins’ famous goal against Crystal Palace in January 1990. “In football, it’s sometimes like this, that a shot on the post or in the net makes a huge difference. See ‘66, eh [England winning the World Cup]? Only one time but it made them world champions.”
Ten Hag’s response about England winning the World Cup once was playful but his tone was serious when he was asked about his relationship with Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal led United to FA Cup glory in 2016 before he was relieved of his duties, and he recently revealed he was facing a battle with prostate cancer.
Ten Hag said: “I have a very good relationship with Louis, but the last time we didn’t talk about United. But yeah, everywhere Louis was, he had success and won trophies.
“I knew it was against Crystal Palace, so I was aware, but if I watched it then, I don’t think so, but I’m fully aware he was the last manager to win the FA Cup for Manchester United.”
Van Gaal was sacked after lifting the FA Cup and it might not be enough to save Ten Heg.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
