Manchester United is currently navigating a transition period while also managing injuries, but manager Erik ten Hag insists this should not serve as an excuse. The team is still without injured players Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw and has suffered defeats in their last two Premier League matches, including a disappointing 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool. Despite the criticism, Ten Hag remains unfazed.
In a press conference ahead of the match against Southampton, Ten Hag stated, “It doesn’t impact me; I know where we are in the process and what we need to do.” He emphasized that the team is integrating many young players and is still handling injuries.
He firmly stated, “Before anyone thinks about excuses, no, we have to win every game. I know that, the team knows this, and we will approach every game with the mindset to win, regardless of who is available.”
While acknowledging the team’s poor results, Ten Hag believes they are on the right path. “Of course, when you see the scores, no one is happy, and the players understand the quality of the process,” he remarked. He added that an analysis of the matches suggests progress, despite the challenges of building a team during a transition period.
Addressing comments from former United player Cristiano Ronaldo, who highlighted the need for a Manchester United manager to express a commitment to fighting for the league title and the Champions League, Ten Hag opted to focus on Ronaldo’s acknowledgment that the club requires time for rebuilding.
Ten Hag pointed out, “He said that Manchester United can’t win the Premier League. If you read the article well, you’ll see that.” He noted Ronaldo is now in Saudi Arabia and may not have the full insight into the current situation at the club.
The manager confirmed that neither Hojlund nor Shaw would be available for the upcoming match against Southampton, with both still recovering from injuries but making progress. However, midfielder Manuel Ugarte may make his debut after joining from Paris Saint-Germain, despite just returning from international duty with Uruguay.
As it stands, United is in 14th place in the league with three points, while Southampton sits at the bottom without a single point so far this season.