Erik ten Hag is pleased with the development that Manchester United is experiencing under his leadership, but the Dutch manager indicates that The Mancunians have a long way to go to become “really good”.
Ten Hag about ‘final months’: “We are exactly where we want to be”
United reached the semi-final of the FA Cup on Sunday after a tumultuous duel with Fulham. Ten Hag therefore still has the prospect of four prizes this season. The League Cup was already conquered last month at the expense of Newcastle United and a double confrontation with Sevilla awaits in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. In the Premier League, the gap with leader Arsenal is particularly large: nineteen points. Ten Hag’s team does have two games credit against the list leader from London.
Heavy, spicy and intense
After the cup victory over Fulham, Ten Hag acknowledged that it is a very busy season for him and United. “It’s heavy, spicy and intense, but also great,” the manager of The Red Devils told Ziggo Sport. “We are exactly where we want to be: fourth in the Premier League, quarter-finals in the Europa League and semifinals in the FA Cup. And we can still win everything, but every match is tough.”
“We are confident that we can get certain things into the process, there is definitely progress. We have a good selection, but six, seven teams are fighting in England for the title and participation in the Champions League. Below that, the teams are also good. We still have a long way to go to get really good,” said the Dutchman, who was also critical after the victory over Fulham.
Ten Hag feels Fulham was punished too hard
According to Ten Hag, Fulham was punished too hard for the situation in which Willian worked the ball off the goal line with his arm. The Brazilian was sent off and United received a penalty kick. Aleksandar Mitrovic then received a red card for shoving referee Chris Kavanagh. He admitted, “It is then up to us to take advantage of those red cards. Are the rules correct? No, but I’ve said that many times. It’s a double penalty (red and penalty) And I don’t like winning a match like this.”
Because of the international period, Ten Hag is now ‘free’ for ten days. “Whether I am someone who enjoys my work? I am constantly enjoying myself, but actually there is no time for that. We have to keep improving ourselves. We are entering two important final months. Then you have to take steps as a team,” said the ex-trainer of Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich II, FC Utrecht and Ajax.
