Under-fire Erik ten Hag is convinced he retains the backing of Manchester United’s players after the club were angered by reports he had lost some of the dressing room.
The Dutchman’s challenging second campaign in charge continued on Saturday night, when a lifeless display saw the Red Devils fall to a meek 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.
A 10th defeat of the season led to some reports that Ten Hag had lost the confidence of up to half of his players, with concerns over his style, tactics and signings mentioned.
Those reports led to the club banning four media outlets shortly before Tuesday’s press conference nominally set up to preview the midweek Premier League clash against Chelsea.
United said the action was taken for not “contacting us first to give us the opportunity to comment, challenge or contextualise”, adding they believed it was “an important principle to defend”.
Asked if he believed he still had the requisite buy-in from his players to be successful, Ten Hag said: “Oh yes, I’m sure.
“But you can see, for instance, the comeback against Brentford, the Burnley game, the Fulham game, so every time the team is there, showed great character.
“Great determination, resilient, so yeah, we are together.
“And you can see you can’t play such great football what we did lately if there is no unity.”
Ten Hag downplayed Newcastle as “one bad performance” after the 3-0 league win at Everton and the 3-3 Champions League draw at Galatasaray, and addressed the bans handed out to journalists.
“They should come to us first and not go around our back printing articles,” the United manager said. “That’s not the right thing.
“I think we have another relationship, and then they should give that to us beforehand. We have a normal and professional discussion and debate about it.”
Pushed on whether he was concerned there was truth behind reports of player unhappiness, the United manager said: “No.
“Of course there are always in every team players who are less playing, who are less happy, but not different as normal.
“You have to wait for their chance and that can come, but, no, there are no issues.”
There were no questions in the press conference about Wednesday’s match against Chelsea, who are managed by Mauricio Pochettino – the man considered Ten Hag’s main rival for the Old Trafford post in 2022.
The former Ajax boss quickly oversaw improvements on and off the pitch at United, but this season there has been criticism about the manager’s approach.
“I listen always to my players,” the Dutchman said. “And I give them always the opportunities to tell (me). If the players have a different opinion, of course I will listen.
“But they haven’t told me, or maybe one or two (have), but it’s about in general, so the majority, they want to play like this – proactive, dynamic, brave. That is what they want.
“You can see the players are behind it because of the performances against Everton, Galatasaray, and we are really improving.
“Do you think that you can make a goal like we did against Everton if the players didn’t embrace it? What do you think?”
But there were few signs of that progress at St James’ Park, leading Ten Hag to say that playing three big away games in six days hurt a group that are “not robots”.
The United boss certainly came out fighting ahead facing Chelsea and dismissed suggestions that the banning of reporters suggested disorder around the club.
“But not in the dressing room,” Ten Hag said. “Of course, there are a lot of rumours about strategic review but it’s not that we get distracted from it.
“We are on a journey, on the route. We know we are still in transition, but we are in the right direction, and you see it.
“Like how we construct a team, how we develop the team, how the team is progressing, how young players coming in, you see the potential how they can contribute to a very successful Manchester United for the future.”
Manchester United v Newcastle - player ratings
-
NEWCASTLE UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: Had very little to do compared to his counterpart, but Pope was alert and cleared when needed. Unfortunately added his name to Eddie Howe’s lengthy injury list when he landed on his shoulder awkwardly in the closing stages. PA -
A constant threat with set pieces, Trippier made life challenging for Onana and was unlucky to see a superb free-kick effort hit the crossbar before half-time. Opened up United with his passes, and confident when dealing with Garnacho. Getty Images -
Should have capitalised on an early set piece but fell short as he headed over within the first 20 minutes, but the Magpies captain was reliable in defence as United looked for an equaliser. Getty Images -
The Swiss defender was everywhere on the pitch. Desperate for a goal, he enjoyed the freedom to surge forward into space in the first half and had several efforts on goal. Defensively, he crucially helped keep a clean sheet by clearing Reguilon’s effort on goal. Reuters -
Exciting on the left flank, Livramento tormented Rashford throughout, leading to the England forward’s early departure in the second half. Equally impressive in defence. PA -
Calm and composed, Miley continued to look at home in midfield alongside Bruno and Joelinton and was happy to press outside of possession. He’ll give Howe plenty to ponder when Sean Longstaff returns. PA -
Ever so reliable in Newcastle’s midfield, Guimaraes controlled the midfield and fed the ball to Trippier in the lead-up to Gordon’s opener. Earlier, he tried his luck with a curling effort from the outside of the box as Newcastle loaded the pressure on United. AFP -
Contributed defensively and kept busy in the middle of the park, but lacked any sting to a second-half shot. Booked. AFP -
Displayed bursts of energy when charging forward to assist attacks. Tested Onana with a low effort on goal, which lacked power, before a curling effort that went wide of the far post. AFP -
Missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring when his shot was deflected narrowly wide of the post. Happy to drop deeper to support play. Getty Images -
Rewarded for his patience when Trippier’s cross found Gordon at the far post, who tapped in a well-deserved goal for Newcastle. The winger is in exceptional form. Getty Images -
SUBS: (Pope 86’) Brought on for the closing stages, Dubravka thought he’d conceded an equaliser before an offside flag was given against Maguire. Getty Images -
(Gordon 90'+8) Late change for Newcastle. Getty Images -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Chants of "dodgy keeper" greeted him, yet he wasn’t as he saved from Almiron on 16. Beaten by Trippier’s free-kick but saved by the crossbar. Not at fault for the goal. No howlers, but questionable distribution. EPA -
Tough against the effective Gordon, but he was mostly up for it – though he was caught off guard as Gordon crept behind him to score the only goal at the back post. AFP -
Busy first half, when he did well to block a Guimaraes shot and deflect another away for a corner. Another block on 44. Booked in frustration. Offside when Antony put the ball in the net. Reuters -
Solid defending alongside Maguire as he stood his ground and was twice perfectly positioned to stop Newcastle going ahead. Reuters -
Played at left back. Early mix up with Onana. A right-footer who is nowhere near as effective as Shaw at left-back. AFP -
Excellent ball for Rashford in a United attack on 31 – one of the few bright moments from his side in the whole game. But played in a team that were miles off their opponents. EPA -
Only 30 touches, a very low figure for a central midfielder showing how Newcastle dominated. Getty Images -
Tenth-minute shot on goal and an early threat on the left. Then faded. PA -
Smart early pass to Garnacho. Hammered in tackles which went unpunished. One of the few who can be satisfied with their performance. Getty Images -
Awful on the right, losing the ball, throwing his arms around and not tracking back. First to come off with Martial. Body language does not emit contentment. EPA -
Preferred to Hojlund, but was poor. Didn’t track back, which saw his manager shouting at him. Subbed with Rashford. EPA -
SUBS: (Martial 61') Put himself about but almost no service. EPA -
(Rashford 61') Put the ball in the net on 88, but Maguire was offside. Booked. EPA -
(Mainoo 79') Steady as United pushed late on, but woeful ball back to take the impetus out of a 94th-minute attack. Getty Images -
(Wan-Bissaka 79') Struck a shot on target on 81. Getty Images
