MANCHESTER United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that the club is ‘in a bad place’ but has declared that he is still the right man to stop the rot.
The Red Devils’ woes were compounded last night with a limp 3-0 capitulation to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup, which was the visitors’ biggest win at Old Trafford in 93 years.
It was also Manchester United’s eighth defeat in 15 matches this season, their worst start to a campaign since 1962/1963.
Following Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City, it is also the first time United have lost successive home games by three goals or more since October 1962.
It gets worse: they have lost five of their first 10 home games for the first time since 1930/1931.
United fans did not hide their frustrations as they booed off the team at half-time, when they were trailing 2-0, and at the end of the match.
However, despite the jeers and the increasingly loud calls for his sacking, Ten Hag was defiant in his post-match interview.
“I understand when the results are not there it is logical they are questioning that,” the Dutchman said.
“But I am confident I can do it. At this moment we are in a bad place and I take responsibility for it. But I am a fighter. I see it as a challenge.”
United have now conceded six goals in their last two matches without scoring themselves, and managed only two shots on target last night.
“It is below the standards everyone expects from Manchester United,” Ten Hag added. “It is not good enough by far and we have to put it right.
“I take responsibility for it. It is my team and they are not performing. We have a lot of setbacks this season so far, but that is never an excuse, you have to get results in,” he said. “Obviously, Sunday and tonight were far from that.”
