Erik ten Hag has defended his players after Manchester United suffered their 13th defeat of the season at West Ham earlier on Saturday, extending the latest winless run to four games.
United have failed to find the net in each of those four games and have won just one in their last seven, making it an increasingly distressing festive period for Ten Hag.
Last year, United were entering their best run of form at this point, with Marcus Rashford spearheading an organised side. That couldn’t be farther from the truth 12 months later as the Dutchman’s side look lost in front of goal.
United’s depressing form has sparked debates over whether the current squad, which the club has invested a huge amount of capital in, is good enough.
Speaking after the 2-0 defeat at the London Stadium earlier on Saturday, Ten Hag came to his squad’s defence, insisting the players that are on the pitch are good enough to win games like this.
“We have issues. We have many setbacks, injuries, etcetera. But the players who are on the pitch are good enough to win the game,” Ten Hag said, according to the Independent.
“They are capable, I know. Rashford can score a goal, Hojlund can score a goal, Antony can score a goal, Garnacho can score a goal.”
On paper, United have one of the most expensive squads in the world if you look at how much it cost the club to assemble the roster. On grass, you would be forgiven for mistaking Manchester United for midtable fodder.
As Ten Hag points out, United have been miserably unlucky with injuries and it’s not easy for any manager to lose as many first-team regulars as he has.
But the absence of a clear gameplan week in and week out is the aspect that leaves supporters worried and Ten Hag desperately needs the form to swing in his favour.
