- 3 hours ago
Man Utd chiefs back Ten Hag despite poor run of form
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 13 Sept 2024 19:27 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United chiefs wish to keep Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford despite the club's poor start to the new season, reports have suggested.
The Red Devils have won a single game out of their opening three fixtures, before losses to Brighton and Liverpool. Reports had suggested that the Dutchman is on a knife's edge and that the side's upcoming Premier League game against Southampton is pivotal.
But The Athletic have thrown cold water on such suggestions. Their latest story concerning the club reads that though there was "concern among United personnel that gaps in midfield were once again evident in the 3-0 loss to Liverpool" it's thought by United that the "roots are systemic and that a remedy should be sought on the training pitches at United’s Carrington base."
READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe chooses his replacement for Ten Hag
The report continues that "having gone through the process of searching for potential replacements for Ten Hag before and after the FA Cup final in May, eventually concluding he was still the best person for the job, executives want to continue to support the manager."
Ronaldo makes second public dig at Ten Hag
Cristiano Ronaldo had a testing relationship with Ten Hag during his second tenure at Man Utd, ending with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner departing Old Trafford by mutual consent after a stinging attack on the head coach in an interview the club did not sign off or even know about.
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Cristiano Ronaldo
F (C)
Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo
F (C)
Al-Nassr
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€6.3M - €10.5M
And Ronaldo has appeared to have taken another shot at Ten Hag. The Al Nassr player claimed he did “unbelievable things” during his second stint at Old Trafford where the coach dropped him to the substitutes bench for games.
“When I'm back at Man Utd, I was very happy. I was one of the best scorers,” he said. I did unbelievable things with the club. My first season at the age of 37, I was the third-best scorer in the league. I scored all the group stage. I scored every game. Even in the league, I scored 17 goals or 18 goals. I did amazing!”
After Ten Hag's comments that Man Utd “are really a long way away from [winning the Premier League", Ronaldo told Rio Ferdinand in a recent interview: "Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or Champions League.”
