Eric ten Hag was saved by a late Harry Maguire equalizer in their Europa league game against Porto on Thursday night.
Eric ten Hag’s United showed many of their typical weaknesses, but he showed that persistence is necessary even when it feels like the bag is becoming bigger by the minute.
Manchester United entered the match in Portugal with the intention of winning back swiftly after suffering a depressing 3-0 loss to Tottenham over the weekend.
As a result, Erik ten Hag was under increased pressure, with speculation about his future at Old Trafford circulating.
Erik ten Hag disappointed with United’s poor defensive play.
Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United “have to rotate” after replacing Marcus Rashford off at half-time in his side’s dramatic 3-3 Europa League clash away to Porto.
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Marcus Rashford had been United’s best player through the first forty-five minutes,
With his first goal and an assist for Rasmus Hojlund’s second. The struggling team surged up 2-0 in the first twenty minutes, but only to allow their opponents to equalise to 2-2 at the half.
Manchester United Captain after seeing red against Tottenham, it was a similar story for Bruno Fernandes against Porto. Their playmaker was shown a subsequent yellow card in the 81st moment.
Man United appeared to be setting out toward defeat, however, their former captain Maguire came in as a substitute and stepped forward to head home from a set piece in the 91st moment.
The outcome implies that Ten Hag’s side have taken two points from their two winless games, while it additionally builds their winless run to four matches in all competitions.
Ten Hag believes that it was a matter of time management, given that Alejandro Garnacho, who replaced him, also need minutes. It seemed as though the only reason he may be substituted was if he had an injury.
“We have to rotate,” Eric ten Hag told TNT Sports. “We have a hard game on Sunday (against Aston Villa) so we need players fit and fresh.”
Eric ten Hag also added in a press conference: “Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far. Over the left side we didn’t defend well and Marcus also plays a part in this. But it was about Garnacho and nothing against Rashy.”
The gamble did not pay off for the under-pressure United manager, as Harry Maguire salvaged a draw in extended time after his team fell behind 3-2 and captain Bruno Fernandes was sent out again.
Ten Hag’s United experienced many of their usual shortcomings in the match, but he maintained that perseverance is required even when it seems like the sack is becoming bigger by the minute.
“We’ll make it there,” he declared. “Don’t pass judgment on us just yet. At the conclusion of the season, judge us. Same thing I stated last season. We are in a process.”
“We had three clean sheets not so long ago so we can defend. We have to go back to those habits. Only then you can win games.”
“We have two seasons where we achieve finals. Just wait. We have to develop.”
Harry Maguire has given a two-word reaction to an inquiry concerning Erik ten Witch’s future following the game against Por.
Maguire, obviously, saved Eric ten Hag’s blushes with injury time time header and was interviewd after the game by TNT Sports about his boss.
He gave a reasonable response when inquired as to whether he trusts and believes in his manager:
“Yeah, definitely. To be honest, I think I’ve played for this club for six years and I know how it works,” Magure said.
He added, “When you go through a bad spell, players come under pressure and the manager does. He’s experienced enough, been in the game and at this club long enough to learn how to deal with it. It’s part and parcel of playing and managing for this club. It’s part of the privilege you have.
Sunday is United’s next game, Manchester United travel on Sunday to Villa Park to take on Unai Emery’s team in what might prove to be another crucial test for Ten Hag’s future.