Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, has firmly responded to recent comments made by former star player Cristiano Ronaldo regarding the club’s ambitions. Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, criticized Ten Hag for publicly stating that United cannot compete for the Premier League and Champions League titles. The Dutch manager, however, dismissed these claims, emphasizing that Ronaldo’s perspective may be skewed due to his distance from Manchester.
Ten Hag addressed the issue head-on, stating, “No, he said this, if you read the article very well. He is far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester, so everyone can have an opinion and is entitled to have an opinion, so it’s okay.” This response highlights the ongoing tension between the club and its former player, while also suggesting that Ten Hag is focused on the present and future of Manchester United rather than engaging in a public spat with Ronaldo.
United’s Current Position and Ten Hag’s Vision for the Future
The Red Devils currently find themselves in a precarious 14th position in the Premier League table, following back-to-back defeats that have intensified pressure on Ten Hag. Despite this challenging start to the season, the manager remains confident in his long-term vision for the club. He emphasized the importance of patience, stating, “We will see where we are in May next year. It’s very early in the season and it’s about winning trophies, being as high as possible in the league, doing everything to win every game and then we will see in May where we are in the league.”
Ten Hag also acknowledged that Manchester United is in a transition period, with the need to integrate young players and manage injuries. However, he made it clear that these challenges are not excuses, asserting, “Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game. I know that. The team knows that and it doesn’t matter who is available. We will focus on every game and approach it with the mindset that we have to win.” This statement underlines Ten Hag’s commitment to maintaining high standards despite the club’s current struggles.
The Ongoing Rebuilding Process at Old Trafford
The manager elaborated on the rebuilding process at Manchester United, highlighting the importance of developing team chemistry and establishing consistent patterns of play. Ten Hag stated, “When you analyse all the games so far we are in a good direction, but also, it is normal in a transition period when you build a team that you have to improve and step up.” This perspective suggests that while results may not be ideal at present, the foundation for future success is being laid.
Ten Hag also praised the character of his players and the team spirit within the squad. He expressed confidence in the quality of the team, saying, “We have good characters, the team spirit, now it is about to get the patterns and routines in so everyone sees the quality we have.” This emphasis on building a cohesive unit indicates that Ten Hag is taking a holistic approach to improving Manchester United’s performance, focusing on both individual talent and collective strength.
Team Updates and Preparations for Upcoming Fixtures
As Manchester United prepares for their upcoming match against Southampton, Ten Hag provided updates on player availability. He confirmed that Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw are progressing well in their recoveries but will not be available for the upcoming game. The manager also mentioned that Manuel Ugarte, who recently played for Uruguay, has returned to the squad and will be available for selection.
These updates highlight the ongoing challenges Ten Hag faces in managing his squad amidst injuries and international commitments. However, the manager’s focus remains on the task at hand, with the clear objective of securing a much-needed victory to improve United’s league position and alleviate some of the pressure on the team. As the Red Devils look to bounce back from their recent setbacks, all eyes will be on Ten Hag and his players to see if they can turn their season around and prove their critics wrong.
