Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United must beat Burnley

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, speaks to the media prior to the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Manchester United at Turf Moor on September 23, 2023 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Manchester United are aiming to get out of their current rut tonight as they make the trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor, with Erik ten Hag looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

Louis van Gaal was the last United manager to experience four losses on the spin and the pressure will mount on Ten Hag if that unwanted record is matched tonight.

Ten Hag has made a number of changes from the side that lost to Bayern Munich earlier this week, with Jonny Evans coming on to make his first start of the season in place of Lisandro Martinez.

Scott McTominay replaced Christian Eriksen next to Casemiro in midfield, with Hannibal Mejbri handed his first start of the season, with Facundo Pellistri dropping out.

Ten Hag is enduring the most difficult spell of his time at United thus far and speaking ahead of the 90-minute encounter with Vincent Kompany’s men, the manager admitted that United must get all three points.

“It’s only about that [winning]. Today we know we have to win. I’m aware of it, the players are aware of it. But as I said, it’s about the game. Focus on the game, focus on the process and then the result will be there,” Ten Hag told TNT Sports, via the official Manchester United website.

“They do it, but as I said yesterday, it’s about doing it in the early moment, and not waiting for the recovery. You have to see the triggers and then you have to do it. Otherwise, they do it, but then you are too late.”

Sofyan Amrabat, who has missed the first two games since he joined the club, has made the matchday squad for the first time and the Morocco international will be hoping to make an appearance in the second half.

Raphael Varane is also back in the squad after a long spell on the sidelines.

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