‘In our hands’ – Ten Hag makes positive top-four admission following defeat at Brighton

Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag takes notes during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 5, 2023. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag is remaining calm amid Manchester United’s quest to secure Champions League football for next season.

The Red Devils currently sit fourth-placed in the table but have made the challenge considerably harder for themselves after picking up just four points out of nine in their past three games.

After overseeing a dismal campaign by their standards, Liverpool have crept up to fifth place following five consecutive wins. They’re now four points behind United, though the Reds have a game in hand.

Earlier in the season, I honestly thought we would’ve had top four wrapped up by now. United’s schedule has clearly impacted the team in both injuries off the pitch and general fatigue and lack of fight on the pitch.

Still, it’s in our hands and the remaining league fixtures could’ve been a lot worse on paper. I don’t doubt that after last night’s defeat, Ten Hag gave the side a real rollicking ahead of Sunday’s game, which provides a chance to bounce back and put things right.

Ten Hag on top four race

Ten Hag was quizzed on the race for the Champions League spots and how comfortable he feels with Liverpool edging closer in the table, and responded (via the Man Utd website): “I think we have had quite a good run so far. In our last five, we had four wins and a draw. We have everything in our hands. So, we have to focus on our performance. I trust my players, so I am quite convinced about it, yeah.”

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