Erik ten Hag has revealed he was advised to not take the Manchester United job earlier than taking up at {Old} Trafford because it was deemed an “unimaginable” job.
The Dutch supervisor has confronted a turbulent begin to his second season on the membership with six defeats of their opening 15 Premier League video games, whereas they face an uphill wrestle to qualify for the Champions League knockout levels with one group recreation remaining.
United have received 4 out of their final six video games which has resurrected their top-four hopes – however Ten Hag’s facet stay unconvincing each on and off the pitch.
“Everybody was telling me, ‘you may’t achieve that job’. They stated it was unimaginable. Me? I wished the problem,” the 53-year-old advised the United We Stand fanzine.
“I knew it would not be simple, but it surely was such an amazing membership with such an amazing fanbase.
“Folks love Manchester United, or they’re in opposition to Manchester United. I like golf equipment like this. Ajax was like this.”
United took factors from a top-half opponent for the primary time this season with a deserved 2-1 win over Chelsea at {Old} Trafford on Wednesday, having endured days of studies of dressing-room disharmony on the again of Saturday’s poor defeat at Newcastle.
After the Chelsea recreation, Ten Hag insisted the problems surrounding the membership this season – together with their worst begin to a marketing campaign from their first 15 video games in six a long time, in addition to numerous off-field issues – had by no means reached disaster level regardless of the noise coming from exterior {Old} Trafford.
“We began very properly, very dynamic, courageous and proactive,” he stated in his post-match press convention. “We created a variety of possibilities in that second, and will have been two or three up.
“We dominated the opponent out and in of possession. It was very gratifying how the crew performed. It hasn’t felt like a disaster for us. We have saved calm, labored on the method and we all know the place now we have to construct and what now we have to construct on.
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Sky Sports activities’ Anton Toloui and Ron Walker focus on Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Chelsea. Earlier than the match, Erik ten Hag dismissed studies that some United gamers had misplaced religion in his administration
“We’re moving into the fitting course, we do not get distracted from criticism round us, we’re very crucial on ourselves and know we aren’t rapidly happy, we wish to do higher.
“If we do issues badly, we wish to put that proper and wish to maintain going within the course of. The season is lengthy, now we have to enhance rather a lot if we wish to achieve success, however this crew is able to that.”
Ten Hag: Man Utd won’t spend a lot in January
The Christmas and New Yr interval will deliver an interesting few weeks at {Old} Trafford, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s funding into the membership set to be finalised subsequent week, which comes simply earlier than the January switch window opens.
However regardless of an unconvincing begin to the season, Ten Hag doesn’t assume United will spend large within the winter window.
“I do not assume [we will spend a lot],” he stated. “As a membership, you must search for enhancements, so if you will discover higher and it is sensible financially and with Monetary Truthful Play, the membership has to go together with it.
“However more often than not you do not entice the very best gamers within the winter.”
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Manchester United fan and content material creator Flex shares his ideas on the membership’s summer season signings and who’s made an impression to this point for the Pink Devils
Man Utd’s next eight games
December 9: Bournemouth (H), Premier League, kick-off 3pm
December 12: Bayern Munich (H), Champions League, kick-off 8pm
December 17: Liverpool (A), Premier League, stay on Sky Sports activities, kick-off 4.30pm
December 23: West Ham (A), Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm
December 26: Aston Villa (H), Premier League, kick-off 8pm
December 30: Nottingham Forest (A), Premier League, stay on Sky Sports activities, kick-off 5.30pm
January 8: Wigan Athletic (A), FA Cup third spherical, kick-off 8.15pm
January 14: Tottenham (H), Premier League, stay on Sky Sports activities, kick-off 4.30pm