Erik ten Hag wasn’t all doom and gloom after overseeing Manchester United’s fifth Premier League defeat.
Sunday’s 3-0 defeat in the Manchester derby only further dampened the Red Devils’ spirit after a concerning start to the campaign that has seen them lose five of their first 10 league games for the first time since the 1986-87 season. They now sit eighth-placed and eight points off the top four.
As well as that, United oversaw two losses in their opening two Champions League matches, putting their hopes of European progression in jeopardy.
Ten Hag has put such form down the United’s injury woes, which has seen 16 players miss at least one match through illness or fitness concerns, however, he is confident that United are in a better place now than they were when the term began.
Ten Hag reacts
“The spirit is very good, the fighting spirit is very good so yeah, I think we are on the way up,” the Dutchman said following the full-time whistle. “The start was difficult but now we are on the way up. I’m sure when injuries [injured players] are getting back, we will be stronger.”
🗣️ “I think we are on the way up. I’m sure with injuries returning then we will be stronger.”
Erik ten Hag expects his Manchester United squad to improve as his squad grows stronger. 💭 pic.twitter.com/UOZNA3Jsk9
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 30, 2023
Footage courtesy of Football Daily.
