Erik Ten Hag admits Manchester United have massive problems

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted his side are in massive trouble as they approach the end of a hugely disappointing season.

The Dutchman was speaking after United’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, a club record fourteenth defeat in the Premier League this season.

United are currently eighth in the table and in serious danger of missing out on European football next season for the first time in a decade.

“That’s the situation we’re in, but we can still get there so we have the opportunities we have to take them and fight,” he said. “Even when the problems are massive, everyone knows it, especially the positions and the lines.”

Ten Hag said it would be “very damaging” when asked what it would mean for United not to qualify for European football.

The Old Trafford club have two Premier League games remaining, at home to Newcastle United on Wednesday and away to Brighton on Sunday, and likely need to win both to qualify for Europe via the league.

However, if they fail there, they could reach the Europa League by winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25.^th.

“We have to deserve it, especially the fans, they watched us at Crystal Palace on Monday and they understand the position we are in. They were behind us from the first whistle, I can see that the team needs support and support, so we are united. this is very good.”

After losing 4-0 to south London side Palace on Monday, the Ten Hag was delighted to see an improvement in United’s performance against Arsenal, even if they lost again.

“We were very competitive,” Ten Hag said. “And you see, even when we’re missing six or seven of our potential starting XI, maybe even more, we can bring performance and bring a level. And on Monday night at Crystal Palace, it was a very bad day at the office, I would say from all the players, very poor and unacceptable. But today we showed we can put in a performance.”

“For the most part, this team always has the right spirit and always executes the rules and principles in the game, how we want them to play and even if they have to adapt to different positions, where we are now with all the injuries. And so yes, I can only be happy. And I think it’s a compliment to this team that those who played, they executed as hard as they could and they were competitive and they fought. And then you see that you can get a result.”

Even though this win keeps Arsenal in the title race with Manchester City, they weren’t at their best at Old Trafford, with the Ten Hag frustrated his side didn’t create enough chances and put them under any sustained pressure.

“Arsenal’s defensive record is very good and you have to be very good on the ball and hit them and that’s probably when I want to be critical,” Ten Hag said. “That’s a factor. We could have done better, but for the rest of the game, I think we saw a lot of good things.”

After showing impressive support at Crystal Palace, United’s supporters were once again fully behind their team at Old Trafford and there were no signs of it starting to turn against Ten Hag or the players.

“I think the fans understand where we are, where this club is,” Ten Hag admitted. “We have so many injuries and especially in key areas and they don’t get what they deserve, the fans, but they understand that and that’s why I think they’re behind the team.

“Most of the time they see a team that is fighting for each other, but they have the right spirit and I think that’s why they’re with us. We are united. We have a strong bond and hope we can pay them back in the future.”