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Rob Dawson, CorrespondentSep 29, 2024, 03:12 PM ET
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted he does not fear getting the sack despite a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham on Sunday.
United had Bruno Fernandes sent off in the first half, but they were second best for much of the game even when they had their full complement of players.
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The result will further increase the pressure on Ten Hag, who has overseen a run of three wins from eight games so far this season.
Asked whether he is concerned his United bosses could look to change the manager, Ten Hag said: “I am not thinking about this.
“We made the decision from a clear review [in the summer] what we have to improve and how we want to construct a squad but we knew it will take some time. We need some time. We are all on one page or in one boat together. The ownership, the staff and the players as well. I don’t have that concern.”
Ten Hag was critical of the goal his team conceded to FC Twente in their 1-1 Europa League draw on Wednesday when defender Bart van Rooij surged through the centre of United’s midfield.
Erik ten Hag’s side have won three games so far this season. Carl Recine/Getty Images
Spurs defender Micky van de Ven produced a similar run from centre-back to set up their opening goal inside three minutes.
Ten Hag was clearly frustrated at allowing the same goal to be scored twice in the space of four days, but said afterwards that he is convinced his players are still listening.
“Yes I am,” he said.
“But it is clear and obvious when you concede a goal like this again, it shouldn’t happen and especially when we address it so loud and clear.”
It won’t get any easier for Ten Hag with United facing tough trips to FC Porto and Aston Villa this week.
The game at Villa Park on Sunday is United’s last before the international break and another poor performance will ramp up the calls for Ten Hag to be dismissed.
“There is always a new game,” he said.
“It will be a new day and it is also obvious you have to learn as a team. It can’t happen twice in four days that a defender can dribble through the whole team. You can’t make such mistakes in football.”
