Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hit back at his critics and has told them: ‘You don’t know anything about football.’ The Dutchman has been heavily criticised of late after what has been a disappointing season for the club.
He said: “I see some comments – but either they don’t have any knowledge of football or they don’t have any knowledge about managing a football team, or they just aren’t up to it.”
Ten Hag’s position is under threat as United head into the final week of the Premier League season following co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s refusal to back him. Even a win against rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25 may not be enough to secure his job.
Ten Hag, whose side suffered their 13th defeat of the season with a 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace earlier this week, believes that his task has been made impossible due to a long list of injuries. Despite the criticism, he remains confident that the fans are patient, adding: “I think the fans have the patience. You’ve seen it many times.
“United face Arsenal next, who are hoping to stop City from securing a record fourth consecutive title, before hosting Newcastle and travelling to Brighton for the final match of the season.”
Ten Hag is set for a triple injury boost for this weekend’s match with Arsenal. He has once again been weakened by another injury to midfielder Mason Mount but Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay are all back in full training.
Ten Hag warned the Gunners that United have no interest in the outcome of the title race – and believes the Old Trafford fans will be up for the visit of Mikel Arteta‘s side.
He said: “I would say the fans always support us. We are there together, we are unified and definitely we need them because we are in a very difficult situation lately.
“We will put a team out with a good plan and I am sure the players will fight – and I hope the fans will back us again.”
Ten Hag also insists he has not lost the dressing room at United. The under-pressure boss believes he has got the backing of the fans as co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe agonises over whether to stick or twist.
The manager continued: “If I look at the problems we have faced and all the injuries we have had, in almost every game the players have still fought.
“There has been great team spirit. But not on Monday night – and that is why I was disappointed. I was really disappointed and the players were disappointed with themselves. There was a collective failure.
“But in all the other games, we have fought for each other, showed good team spirit – and I don’t have any doubt about this. The players fight and there is a good team spirit. I think the fans have seen this.”
“They saw against Brentford how we fought. We did not play well but we fought and stayed in the game. At Chelsea, it was a great game, we played very good and we fought.”
“Against Liverpool, we had to adapt the backline because Raphael (Varane) and Jonny (Evans) dropped out, but we fought and got a very good result.”
“They have always fought. Against Coventry, until 70 minutes, then Sheffield United. They are resilient. Against Burnley, our third game in six days, if you see what we put out there it was a lot.”
“How deep the players went in their physical outputs in these games was incredible.”
United will now face Arsenal, Newcastle and Brighton in the next seven days. Then they will have the chance to avenge last season’s FA Cup final defeat at the hands of rivals Manchester City.
Ten Hag insists he has no regrets about coming to United despite his second season struggles. He added: “I am really happy to be here – and have never for a single second regretted coming. I wanted to take on this challenge.
“I haven’t changed at all. I am still the same. Of course, there have been different experiences and I really like the ones I have had. I love the English football culture. I appreciate it all and am really happy to be here – but I have not changed at all.
“I did my job and in the first year I would say it was a good formation. We played to our levels, maybe we over-performed.
“In this one we haven’t and I know why, but we are still in an FA Cup final and that’s a great achievement. This is a massive club and you only realise that when you first come in, the things you have to face.”
