Aston Villa boss Unai Emery respects troubled Erik ten Hag
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is under immense pressure after a poor start to the season and reports have said the club are ready to sack him.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Unai Emery praised the under-pressure Erik ten Hag on Oct 4 as the Aston Villa boss labelled Manchester United “the best team in the world” despite their dismal form.
But despite all the good words, the Spaniard can make ten Hag’s position even more precarious if his side beat United in their English Premier League clash at Villa Park on Oct 6.
The Red Devils have just seven points from six games following last weekend’s woeful 3-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. Villa, in contrast, have 13.
Ten Hag’s cause was hardly helped in midweek when United blew a two-goal lead against Porto in the Europa League and needed Harry Maguire’s late goal to rescue a 3-3 draw.
Villa, meanwhile, are riding high after an impressive 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
With speculation mounting that United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe could axe ten Hag, Emery defended the Dutchman ahead of their meeting.
“I have a lot of respect for him. We have lost the last four games to them and they are a winning team. They beat Manchester City to win the FA Cup,” he said.
“The club is usually a winning club. They are not getting consistent form in the Premier League, but I have had to think about how I prepare for this match more than the Bayern Munich game.”
Villa are unbeaten in their past seven games in all competitions. Yet Emery is adamant United, who have won just two of their six league games, still pose a formidable threat.
“Sunday is a huge match for us after Bayern Munich because we are playing the best team in the world,” he added.
“United are not in the Champions League, they are in the Europa, but they are a team with quality players and coach.”
Emery has a habit of playing down Villa’s achievements in a bid to keep his players motivated and focused.
Having led Villa into the Champions League for the first time in 41 years and masterminded their upset of Bayern, the Spaniard is not about to change his approach.
“We are not favourites to be in the top seven of the Premier League,” he said when asked what his team can achieve this season. “The process started with the results we’ve had for the last two years.
“We are now involved in the Champions League, but consistency is the most important thing. That starts on the pitch.
“We want to be a contender and we are in the process of getting points. We will have to see where we are in February.”
Emery also confirmed that he will assess midfielder Jacob Ramsey and winger Leon Bailey’s fitness but they are both doubts for the game.
United, meanwhile, are still missing injured defenders Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro, while midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are doubtful.
AFP, REUTERS
