Erik ten Hag demands Carabao Cup response from sulking Man Utd stars
Erik ten Hag says his Manchester United players cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves as they aim to bounce back in the Carabao Cup after their weekend derby defeat.
The Red Devils suffered their seventh defeat in all competitions so far this season with the comprehensive 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City.
While pressure is rising on former Ajax boss Ten Hag, 90min understands his future at Old Trafford is considered safe by the club’s hierarchy and incoming stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with an understanding that current issues cannot all be laid at the Dutchman’s feet.
Writing in his pre-game programme notes before United’s clash with Newcastle on Wednesday evening, Ten Hag reiterated his belief in his squad and asserted that better results will soon materialise.
He wrote: „At Manchester United, every game involves high stakes. Every single day, there is pressure on everybody involved with this club, but those demands and standards are a challenge which we must always meet head-on.
„While this has not been the start to the season that we had all hoped for, I am certain that we have the talent and attitude as a collective to move in the right direction. I believe that it is only a matter of time before we are showing our true selves. It will come, I am certain.
„I continue to believe in these players and am confident we will improve after a difficult start to the season.
„There is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves at this moment in time.
„Nobody at this club enjoys defeat, particularly in a Manchester derby like last Sunday, but everything we have achieved together so far has been built on looking forward, which means we have to move on quickly from what happens, whether it is positive or negative.
„We have never spent too long enjoying our victories, so we will not spend too much time thinking about our losses. We must always look forward, together.“
Wednesday’s clash is a repeat of last season’s Carabao Cup final when a 2-0 win over Newcastle at Wembley earned Ten Hag his first piece of silverware at Old Trafford.