Judge me at end of the season, says under-fire Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacting during the Europa League match against Porto on Oct 3.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PORTO – Erik ten Hag pleaded to be given until the end of the season as Manchester United manager, after his side needed a late Harry Maguire equaliser to salvage a 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League on Oct 3.
The Dutchman was under major pressure before the trip to Portugal, after just two wins from United’s first six English Premier League fixtures of the season left them languishing in 13th place in the table.
The Red Devils have now drawn their opening two Europa League games to sit 21st in the 36-team standings.
“We will get there, don’t judge us in this moment,” said ten Hag.
“Judge us in the end of the season. We will improve, we have two seasons where we achieved finals. Just wait, we will develop and progress this team.”
The 54-year-old has fiercely defended his record after winning the League Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons in charge at Old Trafford – ending United’s six-year trophy drought in the process.
However, United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe refused to guarantee ten Hag’s future, as he admitted the club is not “where it should be”.
“I don’t want to answer that question. I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day, it’s not my call,” Ratcliffe told the BBC on Oct 4.
Insisting any decision on the former Ajax Amsterdam boss would be made in conjunction with United’s new sporting director Dan Ashworth and chief executive Omar Berrada, Ratcliffe said: “It’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.”
A shock victory over Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final was widely credited with saving his job, despite finishing eighth in the English top flight.
But the United hierarchy could be forced to act in the upcoming international break after they travel to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Oct 6.
Ten Hag could not have asked for a better start in Porto, as goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund put his team 2-0 up inside 20 minutes.
However, the English giants have failed to win any of their last four away European games, despite scoring three times in each of them.
Last season, they crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage after losing 4-3 at Bayern Munich and FC Copenhagen and drawing 3-3 at Galatasaray.
Another six-goal thriller took place at the Estadio do Dragao as Pepe and Samu Omorodion had Porto level before half-time.
Omorodion then smashed the home side in front early in the second half before United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second consecutive game.
But Maguire’s header from a corner at least salvaged a point for ten Hag.
“When you get 2-0 away from home, you have to be a little bit more solid and there were far too many gaps,” said Maguire.
“Too many crosses were coming into the box, for sure, and they ultimately punished us for it.”
The English centre-back has lost his regular starting spot in the side to Matthijs de Ligt, who previously worked under ten Hag at Ajax.
Maguire also said the pressure his manager was facing is what comes with the “privilege” of being in the spotlight at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
“I’ve played for this club for six years, I know how it works. When you go on a bad spell, players come under pressure and also the manager does,” he said.
“He’s experienced enough and been at this club long enough, so I’m sure he knows how to deal with it. It’s part of the privilege you have playing for this club.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur maintained their 100 per cent start in the Europa League at Ferencvaros, while Chelsea kickstarted their Conference League campaign with a home win.
Spurs ground out a 2-1 win away in Hungary, as goals in either half from Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson did the job, despite a late Barnabas Varga strike.
“I’m really happy. It’s never easy going away from home in Europe,” Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said.
“You saw the atmosphere tonight, there were a lot of things to deal with and also with four teenagers (in the team).”
Chelsea marked their debut appearance in the Conference League with a 4-2 win over visiting Belgian side Gent. AFP
