Erik ten Hag speaks out on "commitment" ahead of Ratcliffe's Man Utd arrival
Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United’s players are fully committed to the club and played down any suggestions that the ownership situation is impacting performances.
United host neighbours City at Old Trafford this afternoon with four defeats from their opening nine Premier League games and a campaign that began with high hopes has been dogged by off-field distractions, headlined by drawn-out will-they-won't-they questions over the Glazer family's potential sale.
It is now most likely that the deeply unpopular Americans will sell 25% of their stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe in a deal worth £1.3bn. Although Ratcliffe will take over the club’s football operations should his investment be approved by the club’s board, fans remain furious with the Glazers.
But Ten Hag says any suggestion that his under-performing players are not entirely focused on their performances as a consequence is wrong and the most important thing is they improve "co-operation" with their team-mates.
“I don’t believe the squad is affected. They are not thinking about strategic reviews or structures or whatever,” Ten Hag said before today’s derby.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
“Of course, they are committed to the club but especially they are committed to this team. They want to be successful and are therefore aware they need co-operation with their teammates. That is how the players are thinking. They want to play with the best and when cooperation grows, it is to their benefit.”
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has echoed those sentiments, too, telling Mirror Football that there was “no chance” it is affecting performances. Ferdinand was in the United side when the Glazers first arrived at the club in 2005 and experienced a series of protests from fans.
He said: “I was there when the Glazers came in and the gold and green scarves were being worn. That’s nothing to do with us. When you’re a player you just concentrate on being a player.
Erik ten Hag has pointed to Man United's pressing stats as a sign of his game plan working (Offside via Getty Images)“It’s in your mind in terms of what’s happening. But not enough that performances are in threat because there’s stuff going on off the pitch. No chance. I wouldn’t have any player being able to have the excuse. I’ve seen it, I’ve been there. They’ll be paying attention but not to the scale it’ll affect performances.”
The build-up to today's game has been dominated by suggestions that Ten Hag's desired identity is yet to bed in at United and he fired back at criticism from Jamie Carragher. United have struggled to control possession in most of their games but Ten Hag pointed to the team's pressing ability as a sign of his game plan working.
“I have said that in possession we have to do better," he added. "But there are reasons for that. It is something I am not going into, but everyone can see why. But there are also facts so I disagree [with Carragher]. We are much better.
“We are top Premier League in high-ball regains, we are top Premier League in middle-ball regains. So our pressing is always very good. So there is no truth in what he [Carragher] is saying.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
