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Having exhausted injuries as an excuse to explain Manchester United’s dire performances last season and this, manager Erik ten Hag looks to be carving out a new go-to explanation.
Speaking at the pre-match presser before tomorrow’s game against Spurs, the manager explained that Profit and Sustainability Rules have forced United to buy young players who are not yet ready.
“Those are the choices we have made in the last two seasons,” he said.
“We made the choice for younger players and you can’t expect them to be in the [top] level.”
“We have to improve them and they have to improve themselves and we have to find a team that can be successful on a consistent basis.
“This team, in the last two years, has shown what they can do with patience. With patience we can win trophies and now we have to get more consistent.
“With all the restrictions we had, we have done good work. Now we have to work with the squad and improve.”
Asked if he is aware of the criticism he is receiving, the manager said:
“I don’t read, of course, all the criticism. It’s not even possible but I don’t want even to know.
“I need to know some, and some are very good advice. But for me it’s stay clinical and see where the team is, which areas we have to improve.”
Ten Hag was also asked if he was told he needed to qualify for the Champions League this season to keep his job.
“It is never spoken of now you ask me the question – but what I think is we have to succeed.
“We have to win trophies, that is what this club stands for. This club has the ambition to play on the highest platform and we want to achieve the Champions League. We have two routes, one is through the Premier League and one is through the Europa League.
“I think they (the players) will be judged every game – and that’s normal. Everyone, for every game, expects United to be winning. We know that. It isn’t a secret for anyone.
“When you are in this club you have to deal with this factor – and we do.”
“But we know also that, with all respect, young players, a young squad, a new team takes some time. We are going in a good direction, I think, in the last couple of weeks in many aspects of football. Now it’s about being more efficient and scoring more goals because that will win you games.”
Given that United have spent €660 million on transfers during his reign (source: transfermarkt.com), more than any other Premier League team except Chelsea in that time, arguing that he has been forced to buy players who are not ready to compete will not wash with United fans, who are growing tired of excuses for the lack of progress.
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2024-09-28 21:48:39
