Man U coach Erik Ten Hag says that his team needs more time
October 4, 2024
After his team survived a 3-3 Europa League tie against Porto on Thursday, Erik ten Hag has asked Manchester United supporters and management to hold off on making decisions on his term until the end of the current campaign.
The strain was rising on Ten Hag ahead of the trip to Portugal, with United earning just two wins from their opening six Premier League matches, leaving them wallowing in 13th place. The Red Devils are ranked 21st in the 36-team group after drawing their first two Europa League games.
Ten Hag firmly defended his record, having led United to win the League Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons, thereby breaking the club’s six-year trophy drought.
Despite a dismal eighth-place Premier League result, a thrilling FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last season was crucial in keeping him in the picture.
The Manchester United administration might feel pressured to decide over the forthcoming international break, though, particularly with a difficult away game against Aston Villa coming up on Sunday.
The first 20 minutes of United’s match in Porto were marked by two goals each from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, giving them a 2-0 lead. Even though the team scored three goals in each of their last four away European games, they were unable to win, indicating the club’s ongoing problems.
Before halftime in the encounter at Estadio do Dragao, Samu Omorodion and Pepe of Porto equalized. Early in the second half, Omorodion gave the home team the lead, and Bruno Fernandes, the captain of United, was sent off for the second time in a row. For Ten Hag’s team, a late header from a corner by Harry Maguire salvaged a point.
Matthijs de Ligt, who was Ten Hag’s Ajax teammate in the past, has taken Maguire’s normal starting spot.