Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has pulled no punches during his recent interview ahead of what could be his final game as the club’s head coach. After what has been a dismal 2023-24 season for Manchester United, Ten Hag is now standing at the risk of being sacked by the club. However, Ten Hag remains confident ahead of United’s final game this season, the FA Cup final, or perhaps what could be his final game as United’s manager.
Manchester United will take on the 2023-24 Premier League champions, Manchester City, in the FA Cup final at the Wembley Stadium. Ten Hag’s United have one last chance of salvaging something from a lackluster season, where they finished eighth in the league table and have failed to qualify for European soccer. Amid uncertainty regarding his future, Erik ten Hag has given an explosive interview with the Dutch news outlet Voetbal International. Here are five big takeaways from the interview.
Erik ten Hag reflects on Manchester United’s below-par 2023-24 season
Erik ten Hag has finally had his say on what has been one of the worst seasons ever in Manchester United’s history. The Dutch coach has unfortunately been at the helm of some of the most unfortunate records in the club’s 146 years of history. Some of these records include the most losses in a Premier League season for the club (14) and the most goals conceded in a season (58) since 1992-93.
🚨🚨🚨 – Erik ten Hag to @VI_nl: “Let me be clear. It has been bad. It has been crap. But despite everything, we are going to play an FA Cup Final.” pic.twitter.com/lQ3pZVxBP0
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) May 25, 2024
Ten Hag admitted that the season has been one to forget for his team. He said, “Let me be clear. It has been bad. It has been crap.” However, Ten Had also pointed out that despite the terrible season, his side will be playing in the FA Cup final. The United head coach could shock everyone if his side manages to defeat Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City in the final, which will be a huge blow to the Premier League winners.
Erik ten Hag laments Manchester United’s injury-marred season
While there has been plenty of criticism launched at Erik ten Hag for Manchester United’s disappointing season, one can’t simply ignore the injury problems that the club has had to suffer throughout the season. The Red Devils rather stunningly suffered 45 different injuries in the Premier League this season. Ten Hag also pointed out the injury woes in his recent interview.
🚨 🚨🚨 – Erik ten Hag to @VI_nl: “The injuries have been really crazy. Not long ago I had to start my 15th (!) different centre back duo of the season. I have had 33 (!) different defensive lines this season!
“Sofyan Amrabat had to play left back 4 times. We have had injuries… pic.twitter.com/4WvySMbwRG
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) May 25, 2024
He said, “The injuries have been really crazy. Not long ago I had to start my 15th (!) different center-back duo of the season. I have had 33 (!) different defensive lines this season! This is the core story of our season.” Ten Hag also stated how United not only lost Luke Shaw, the club’s first-choice left-back due to injuries but also didn’t have Shaw’s replacement, Tyrell Malacia, available for the entirety of the season due to injury problems.
Erik ten Hag’s comments on Manchester United’s infrastructural shortcomings
Erik ten Hag also did a Cristiano Ronaldo in his recent interview and talked about Manchester United’s infrastructural shortcomings. Back in 2022, Ronaldo exposed the club’s lack of high-end infrastructural facilities in a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, after which he was sacked by the club. Albeit, Ten Hag’s comments weren’t exactly similar to the Portuguese international.
🚨 🚨🚨 – Erik ten Hag to @VI_nl: “INEOS will change things in the club and certain projects have already started. Carrington will get be completely destroyed, a new training ground will come.“ pic.twitter.com/Gu7ESXaNUd
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) May 25, 2024
Ten Hag said, “INEOS will change things in the club and certain projects have already started. Carrington will get be completely destroyed, a new training ground will come.” While Ten Hag’s comments didn’t paint Manchester United in a bad picture per se, it was more of a statement highlighting how the club’s new owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is looking to make some major changes for the betterment of the club.
Erik ten Hag takes a dig at his critics and calls out their duplicity
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag also took a shot at his critics during his interview with Voetbal International. The 54-year-old coach has been subjected to some extensive criticism by journalists and soccer pundits alike. Talking about the critics, Ten Hag said, “The pundits in England want to score, they want to show they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United is an easy pray.”
🚨 🚨 🚨 – Erik ten Hag to @VI_nl: “The pundits in England want to score, they want to show they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United is an easy pray. It’s the biggest club in England and possibly in the world. The club is either loved or hated, there is no… pic.twitter.com/utgZKX6iDz
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) May 25, 2024
Ten Hag pointed out that owing to the status of United as the “biggest club in England“, there is either extreme love or hatred towards the club. He further questioned the critics for attacking him and the club without taking the correct facts into account. Lastly, Ten Hag also pointed out the duplicity of the critics, as they were the same who supported the former Ajax coach last year but didn’t hesitate to attack him this season.
Erik ten Hag finally responds to speculations over his future at Manchester United
Ultimately, Erik ten Hag finally responded to the season-long speculations over his future at the club, which has further amplified in the last few months. There have been reports and rumors about how Ten Hag could be sacked by the club at the end of the season. Further reports also suggested that Ten Hag will be sacked even if he wins the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
• What did the owners tell you?
🚨 🚨🚨 – Erik ten Hag to @VI_nl: “They said they want to change everything and that they want to rebuild WITH me. This is what they told me directly.” pic.twitter.com/KjbNPEnCed
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) May 25, 2024
Responding to such allegations and rumors, Ten Hag claimed that he has the complete support of the owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and the club’s board. He said, “They said they want to change everything and that they want to rebuild WITH me. This is what they told me directly.” Nevertheless, rumors continue to float about Ten Hag’s time at United being numbered while the names of potential new managers continue to pop up.
“It’s an incredible gamble for a career that’s on a very good path” 💬
Would Kieran McKenna choose to manage Manchester United if given the chance? 💭 pic.twitter.com/XiFCToQuKu
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 24, 2024
In the last few weeks, some of the names that have been linked with Manchester United are Kieran McKenna, Mauricio Pochettino, Roberto De Zerbi, and Thomas Tuchel. McKenna’s name has created quite a storm on the Internet, after his heroics with Ipswich Town. Interestingly, Pochettino and Tuchel’s names also continue to make noise despite both managers being sacked by their clubs, Chelsea and Bayern Munich respectively, in the last few days.