Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is convinced his struggling side will turn their season around – starting against Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Ten Hag’s side were outclassed and defeated 3-0 at home to Manchester City on Sunday and have now lost as many games as the seven they have won in all competitions this season.
“Nobody at this club enjoys defeat, particularly in a Manchester derby like last Sunday,” Ten Hag told the United Review, the official match programme, ahead of playing Newcastle.
“But everything we have achieved together so far has been built on looking forward, which means we have to move on quickly from what happens, whether it is positive or negative. We have never spent too long enjoying our victories, so we will not spend too much time thinking about our losses. We must always look forward, together.”
Manchester United and Newcastle United met in the final of the Carabao Cup in February, with Ten Hag’s side lifting their first trophy in six years – and preventing Newcastle from winning a first major trophy since 1969.
“I continue to believe in these players and am confident we will improve after a difficult start to the season,” said Ten Hag.
“On Sunday, in the first half particularly, we showed good defensive discipline and we created opportunities to counter-attack, but we were unable to capitalise on those chances at decisive times in the game. Important moments went against us and we were once again reminded that any mistake is punished at the highest level.”
United’s form had picked up before the derby, though performances from what has been an injury-hit side have been poor all season and the team are seven points off fifth and have only scored 11 league goals in 10 games so far.
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Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates after scoring the team's second goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Getty -
Harry Maguire of Manchester United attempts to pass the ball whilst under pressure from Erling Haaland. Getty -
Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, reacts during the Premier League match between United and Manchester City. Getty -
Referee Paul Tierney checks the VAR display before awarding a penalty for Manchester City. EPA -
Erling Haaland of Manchester City scores from the spot. EPA -
Manchester City's Erling Haaland, right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal. AP -
Manchester United's Sofyan Amrabat, left, duels with Manchester City's Jack Grealish. Reuters -
Manchester City's Ederson saves a shot from Manchester United's Scott McTominay. Reuters -
Erling Haaland of Manchester City scores the team's second goal. Getty -
Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates with teammate Bernardo Silva. EPA -
Jonny Evans of Manchester United looks dejected after Erling Haaland of Manchester City scored his team's second goal. Getty -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remonstrates with the fourth official. Reuters -
Manchester City's players celebrate going 2-0 ahead at Old Trafford. AFP
“Before the derby, we won three games in a row and demonstrated our character on each occasion, so we have developed in recent weeks,” said Ten Hag. “We are also gradually getting some players back from injury, which gives us more options and allows us to select players in their natural positions.”
Both he and Newcastle boss Eddie Howe are expected to make significant changes for the League Cup fourth round game.
“Our focus moves back to the Carabao Cup and a reminder of how well we did to win this competition last season,” said Ten Hag. “Our game management throughout that cup run, especially in the final against Newcastle, showed our ability to rise to big occasions – and tonight is definitely another big occasion for us.
“We always want to do as well as we possibly can in every competition we enter. We know how good it feels to lift this trophy and, as holders, we want to get back to Wembley Stadium again this season and defend the Carabao Cup. Against a strong opponent, we know that we will have to be at our very best if we want to progress in this competition. This is cup football and there is no second chance if we don’t perform on the night.”
United’s only convincing performance this term came in the previous round of the League Cup at home to a weakened Crystal Palace. It will be a big game for both sides, with a 7,500 strong away following expected as part of a 72,000 sell-out crowd.
“At Manchester United, every game involves high stakes,” said Ten Hag. “Every single day, there is pressure on everybody involved with this club, but those demands and standards are a challenge which we must always meet head on. While this has not been the start to the season that we had all hoped for, I am certain that we have the talent and attitude as a collective to move in the right direction. I believe that it is only a matter of time before we are showing our true selves. It will come, I am certain.”
Manchester derby – player ratings
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UNITED RATINGS. Double save from Foden then Haaland early on. Booked for time-wasting before the penalty, when Haaland sent him the wrong way. Flew across goal to save Haaland’s header on 45. Saved from Grealish on 56 and then Haaland on 70. PA -
Overhit a first minute cross after a bright United start and saw balls slipped past him by Grealish. Defended a free-kick well – and that was about the best moment in a humiliating afternoon. AFP -
Cleared the ball off the line after 7 minutes. Missed a header on 35 as United wobbled. And then it all got worse and worse. AP -
He wouldn’t have expected to start in the Manchester derby when he signed in the summer. Up against a better team all afternoon. Nowhere for the third. Reuters -
Struggled at left back. A difficult afternoon as dangerous balls were played into his area. PA -
Holding midfielder in place of the injured Casemiro. Booked for an overreaction to an altercation with Foden. Taken off at half time and while he’d only had 19 touches, his team regressed without him. Hasn’t done anything to show he’s good enough to play for a decent United side. Getty -
First start in six weeks. Played well when he came on versus Copenhagen midweek. Didn’t play well in the derby. Rodri walked past him to shoot before City’s third goal. Getty -
Rolled United's first shot on target at the start of the first half and then struck the second well at the end of the first half. Reuters -
Bright start for the first six minutes as, like in the last Old Trafford derby, he played on the right. Hit a shot well on target on 47, but he captained a side who had 38% of possession and who were, as fully expected, totally outclassed. AP -
Subdued by City’s dominance, he’s having an awful season like his team. Should’ve done better with an Eriksen ball and a rare Walker slip on 69, but he shot wide. Getty -
Lost Rodri to concede a soft 23rd minute penalty, then ran forward towards goal before being knocked off balance by Stones in the area. Unlike Rodri, he didn’t wave for a foul. Still to score in the league. EPA -
UNITED SUBS. (On for Amrabat, 45') Came on at half-time and played more defensively than usual. PA -
(On for Hojlund 73'). He usually makes an impact when he comes on. Not today. PA -
(On for Lindleof 73'). The left back who didn’t start ahead of someone who isn’t a left back. What could he do, the damage was done. Antony (on for Eriksen, 86'): N/A. Martial (on for Rashford, 86'): N/A. Getty -
CITY RATINGS. Made a great save to deny McTominay on stroke of half-time and also stayed on his feet long enough to push Hojlund wide when racing through. Came up trumps in big moments despite not having much to do. PA -
Defended well apart from one lapse up against Rashford early in the second half. Getty -
Solid, steady game from the Portuguese centre-back. EPA -
Kept stepping into midfield to make the extra man and also defended superbly in tracking and doing enough to stop Hojlund as he raced in on goal. Getty -
Careless with the ball in the first half but soon settled into his first Manchester derby. Nullified the threat of Fernandes. Reuters -
His usual tidy self in possession and defensively astute. Created chance with excellent early cross and won his side a penalty. Getty -
Man of the match display. Caused United all sorts of problems when drifting into the inside left channel. At his creative best. EPA -
Bit of a mixed bag with some wayward passing and poor decisions but added incisiveness and scored the third. AFP -
Livewire in and around the box. Linked well with teammates, lots of little give and goes caused United problems. Reuters -
Impressive on the left. Involved in second goal and tested Onana on a couple of occasions. AFP -
Two goals and assist. Could easily have had his hat-trick given the chances created. Provided a focal point and that finishing touch. There will be many more goals with service like he received here. AFP -
CITY SUBS. (On for Alvarez, 87'): N/A -
(On for Grealish, 87'): N/A
