To Erik ten Hag’s mind, the angrier the Manchester United players are, the better.
To Erik ten Hag’s mind, the angrier the Manchester United players are, the better. Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag has reportedly warned his team to be “angry” with themselves for the dismal start to the season. United’s under-pressure boss has also instructed his older players to start displaying leadership to help bring the team out of its current dilemma. Ten Hag has spoken to a core of players – including Cristiano Ronaldo, skipper Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes – and ordered them to step up.
How things are running under Ten Hag
United’s first two games under Ten Hag have ended in losses, and tonight’s match against bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford will be a severe litmus test for the club. Ten Hag is frustrated with the ineffectiveness of his veteran players and has given them till Monday to prove themselves as leaders.
He said: “When the attitude is not good from the team, often the leaders are not there because they are the ones who give the example and go in front. That is a point we have to work on. I always work with a group of leaders, not one in particular. I spoke with the leaders about this issue.”
“It doesn’t have to be senior players but we have a core group who have to be the example and take the responsibility. This is also a process. We work with that, we started a couple of weeks ago and they have to grow.”
Hen Tag’s Opinion
After a humbling 4-0 loss against Brentford, Ten Hag ripped into his team and had them report to training the following day as punishment. Asked if some players were furious at having their day off canceled, Ten Hag said: “I hope they are angry, but angry with themselves, angry with each other that they didn’t take responsibility.”
“It’s not acceptable when you can’t deliver for yourself, for the team, for Manchester United and for all the fans of United. That is not the standard for United and actually it’s not my standard. We have to change that. We don’t accept this.”
Rashford’s message to the fans
Striker Marcus Rashford called on United’s fans to get behind the team tonight and help them kick start their season with a win. Rashford said: “It’s always a difficult game physically and mentally, so we’ll definitely need them. They’ll be up for the game – they’ll want to beat Liverpool just as much as we do.”
Brentford disaster and more
Ten Hag has taken a harsh stance with his United players after their two losses, bringing them back into training the day after the Brentford disaster and telling them he has no patience for their excuses. He explained: “I’m not interested in the reason why – they just have to deliver. That’s my obligation and theirs. We are in a process. Sometimes you have a drop and you tell them, you face them, and say ‘that’s unacceptable’.”