Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United’s summer recruitment shows they have “turned a corner” despite their indifferent form.
United sit 11th in the Premier League table having won two of their first five games while they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to FC Twente in the Europa League last night, after which Ten Hag questioned his side’s desire.
The Dutchman is now in his third season at Old Trafford and, although results disprove his theory, Ten Hag says the club’s insistence on signing younger players shows they are now heading in the right direction.
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We are in progress – Ten Hag
Asked to assess the team’s progress, he said: “I think you have to assess the situation. Still now we are working and we are in progress. We have to sign players and we made the choice to sign very young players.
“Like last year, [Rasmus] Hojlund and [Joshua] Zirkzee and Leny Yoro are players we believe in for this moment but also for the future and we have to build them.
“When I started we spoke about more, we had to make a switch in the dressing room. We have turned a corner and we have to work with the squad and that takes time and of course, [that is] also not good behaviour for me, I am impatient. I want to go straight forward.
“To be fair, we have also had success in the last two seasons and we have to work very hard to bring further success.”
ℹ️ Erik has provided a fresh team news update ahead of Sunday’s game 👇#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 26, 2024
Goals required
United have underperformed their xG in five of their seven competitive games this season and Ten Hag knows his side need to be more clinical in front of goal.
He added: “[We are] not scoring goals enough. That is the problem. That is the key area.
“We have to score goals as a team. I think across the team, we have the ability to score. That is clear, when you see all the opportunities we are creating, we are not scoring enough.”
Ten Hag backs Fernandes to regain top form
Captain Bruno Fernandes – who played for Portugal at the European Championship over the summer – looked jaded against Twente but Ten Hag backed him to return to his sparkling best soon.
“I think he is capable and he has proven [himself] already so many times in the Premier League,” said Ten Hag.
“He can create many chances. I am convinced he will not do differently. He will find his form. He is already creating chances but he will make final passes, he will score goals. 100 per cent and it is just a matter of time.”
Hojlund could start against Tottenham on Sunday after a cameo against Twente with Ten Hag able to pick from the same squad for the visit of Ange Postecoglou’s men.
