Connect with us

Manchester United

Erik ten Hag Laughs Off Pressure at Manchester United: Managing Criticism with Humor

Published

on

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, has faced ongoing pressure since taking the helm, but that hasn’t taken away his sense of humor. During a recent press conference, Ten Hag laughed off a question about his job security, offering a glimpse of his lighter side—a rare sight for the typically composed Dutchman.

Asked about how he manages the pressure and constant scrutiny at Manchester United, Ten Hag didn’t hesitate to inject humor. With his position frequently in the spotlight, particularly after disappointing results like the recent draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente, Ten Hag remains confident, even jokingly dismissing advice from one reporter. His laugh-filled response lightened the mood and showed that the pressure hasn’t dulled his spirit.

The scrutiny has been intense over the past year. Ten Hag has guided the team to 27 wins in 60 games, but such numbers are never enough to avoid criticism at a club like Manchester United. However, Ten Hag emphasizes the importance of managing the feedback and staying patient with his young squad. In his words, the key to handling criticism is to “respect it” but remain focused on improving the team’s performance.

Ten Hag’s strategy? He selectively takes advice, tuning out the noise and focusing on what truly matters—methodically guiding Manchester United forward. His goal is to help the squad grow and address areas needing improvement, all while maintaining his composure and sense of humor amid the pressure.

By maintaining a calm, humorous outlook, Erik ten Hag shows his resilience, determined to steer Manchester United through the ups and downs of football management. His ability to handle criticism with a smile demonstrates his confidence in his approach, even as speculation about his job security continues.

See also  "Kylian Mbappe's Early Exit: Real Madrid Star Suffers Injury After Scoring in Champions League Clash"
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Manchester United

Ruben Amorim Dismisses ‘Fergie-Time’ Notion with Blunt Manchester United Assessment After FA Cup Triumph Over Leicester

Published

on

Ruben Amorim voiced his frustration once again following Manchester United’s hard-fought FA Cup victory over Leicester City. Despite securing a place in the fifth round, Amorim remained critical of his team’s performance, stating that the club’s ongoing struggles stem from “everything”—from minor details to major issues. A second-half goal from Joshua Zirkzee and Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time winner helped United overturn Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s opener.

Amorim Unimpressed Despite United’s Progress

Despite advancing in the FA Cup, Amorim attributed United’s lackluster display against Leicester to broader issues within the team. Zirkzee’s introduction helped cancel out De Cordova-Reid’s first-half strike, while Maguire’s controversial late goal sealed the win. However, Amorim dismissed any comparisons to Manchester United’s legendary “Fergie-time” comebacks under Sir Alex Ferguson, asserting that the team’s struggles remain evident.

“We had to believe until the end, but this game has nothing to do with Fergie-time,” Amorim told ITV. “Our performance needs significant improvement—both with and without the ball. The energy levels were poor, especially in the first half. The second half was slightly better, with more pace and better ball-winning, but overall, it wasn’t a convincing display.”

Addressing United’s Issues

The Portuguese manager took accountability for his side’s inconsistencies, emphasizing the need for collective improvement.

“It’s a combination of everything,” he explained. “As the coach, I take responsibility when the team doesn’t perform or progress as expected. We analyze games, look for areas to refine, and work towards improvements.

“Sometimes, it’s the small details—controlling possession, avoiding unnecessary turnovers under pressure. Other times, it’s larger tactical issues. Right now, we need to find solutions, especially at home, where we’ve struggled the most. It’s a tough phase, but we must push forward.”

See also  Liverpool Legend Mark Lawrenson Suggests Trent Alexander-Arnold's Move to Real Madrid is "Worst-Kept Secret"

Controversy Surrounding Maguire’s Late Goal

United were on the verge of suffering their ninth defeat under Amorim and their second loss at Old Trafford within a week. However, Maguire’s last-gasp header secured the victory in dramatic fashion—though not without controversy.

Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was left furious as replays suggested Maguire was offside when he scored. With no VAR in operation, the assistant referee’s decision stood, denying Leicester the opportunity to push the match into extra time.

Amorim later acknowledged the controversial nature of the winning goal, stating: “The goal was offside. VAR should be available to overturn decisions like that—it’s unfair to the opposition, especially to Ruud.”

While Amorim conceded that his side showed more determination in the second half, he reiterated that the performance was far from satisfactory.

“We showed more energy and some individual contributions made a difference, but overall, we weren’t at our best,” he admitted.

Looking Ahead

With United already securing automatic qualification for the UEFA Europa League last 16, they will have a brief respite before resuming Premier League action. Their next fixture sees them travel to face Tottenham Hotspur on February 16, where Amorim will hope for a much-improved display.

Continue Reading

Manchester United

Ruben Amorim Explains Marcus Rashford’s Loan Move After Manchester United Exit

Published

on

Marcus Rashford’s time at Manchester United may have reached its conclusion, as he has officially joined Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season.

United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, shed light on Rashford’s departure, citing difficulties in adapting to his tactical and training expectations. The 27-year-old forward had been absent from United’s squad for 12 consecutive matches before sealing his move to Villa on Sunday.

Under the terms of the loan agreement, Aston Villa will cover at least 75% of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages and hold an option to make the deal permanent in the summer. Meanwhile, Manchester United are expected to seek a top-tier striker in the next transfer window.

Rashford’s Struggles Under Amorim

Rashford’s last appearance for United came in the Europa League on December 12, when he was substituted during a 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen. The England international did not acknowledge Amorim as he left the pitch with his team trailing 1-0 at the time.

Just days later, Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were omitted from the squad for the Manchester derby against City due to concerns over their attitude. While Garnacho has since worked his way back into the team, Rashford expressed his desire for a “new challenge” shortly after his exclusion.

Speaking on Rashford’s exit, Amorim reiterated that he had no regrets about the decision and wished the player success under Villa manager Unai Emery.

“You can interpret this however you wish,” Amorim stated. “What I can say is that I wasn’t able to get Marcus to understand my footballing philosophy or the way I expect players to train. Sometimes, a player thrives under one manager but struggles under another. He is a talented footballer, and I hope he finds success with Villa.”

See also  Liverpool Legend Mark Lawrenson Suggests Trent Alexander-Arnold's Move to Real Madrid is "Worst-Kept Secret"

Amorim further explained that some players adapted to his methods while others did not, and squad-building decisions were made accordingly.

Amorim Takes Responsibility for Transfers

When questioned about Rashford’s reaction to his style of play, Amorim emphasized that the decision was entirely his own.

“It’s not about a player outright rejecting tactics. It’s something both the coach and the player sense over time,” he said. “This happens with many managers. The key point is that it was my call. The same applies to Tyrell Malacia and Antony’s loan moves—I made those decisions, just as I chose to keep other players despite no new signings.”

Injury Concerns for Luke Shaw

Meanwhile, United face uncertainty regarding Luke Shaw’s fitness. The left-back has not started a match since February 18 last year, featuring only three times this season due to ongoing calf and hamstring issues.

Shaw has now suffered another setback, and Amorim remains unsure of his return date.

“It’s difficult to give a timeline because his current issue is separate from the initial injury,” Amorim explained. “He needs time to recover, rebuild fitness, and avoid aggravating past injuries. Right now, we just want him fully fit to contribute to the team.”

As United push forward without Rashford, Amorim remains focused on building a squad that aligns with his footballing vision while managing key player recoveries.

Continue Reading

Manchester United

Ange Postecoglou Confirms Mathys Tel’s Long-Term Future at Tottenham

Published

on

Tottenham Hotspur secured the signing of France U21 star Mathys Tel, beating out competition from Manchester United and Arsenal. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has made it clear that Tel will remain at the club beyond his loan spell, with a £45 million permanent deal set for the summer.

Postecoglou played a key role in convincing the Bayern Munich youngster to join Spurs, personally speaking to him over the phone to finalize the move. “I didn’t bring him here just for six months,” the Australian coach stated. “He’ll be a Tottenham player next season.”

Tel, who initially hesitated due to interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, ultimately agreed to an £8 million loan deal on transfer deadline day. The 19-year-old is now preparing to make his debut in Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday.

Reports indicate that Tel is eager for Spurs to activate their purchase option, securing a six-year contract in the summer. Postecoglou reiterated his confidence in the player, saying, “He’ll prove himself in the next six months. He’s fully committed to being here.”

The Spurs manager revealed that he spent hours on calls and messages with Tel, ensuring the youngster felt connected to the project at Tottenham. “I felt that if I kept him on the phone long enough, I would wear him down!” he joked. “But really, he wanted to hear what I had to say, and there was a strong connection. He made a very thoughtful decision.”

Tel is a versatile forward who can operate as a No. 9 or out wide. Postecoglou drew comparisons to another young talent in the squad, saying, “Archie Gray wanted to be a central midfielder, so who knows where Mathys will end up? He has great pace, can take players on, and knows how to score goals.”

See also  Arteta Attributes Arsenal’s Poor Finishing Against Newcastle to League Cup Ball

Tottenham had also shown interest in French striker Randal Kolo Muani during the January transfer window, but the PSG forward opted to join Juventus instead. Reflecting on transfers, Postecoglou admitted, “Not every move works out, and I don’t have a 100 percent success rate, but we’re building something strong here.”

Despite an injury-hit squad, Spurs managed to bring in four new signings during the window. Former Lens defender Kevin Danso is expected to start against Liverpool, while Micky van de Ven and Cristiano Romero remain sidelined. With Radu Dragusin ruled out for the rest of the season, Postecoglou emphasized careful management of returning players. “We’re keeping them in training, making sure they’re fully fit before risking any setbacks,” he said.

Tottenham carries a 1-0 lead into Anfield as they chase their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup. “We’ve beaten both Manchester clubs to get here, and now we’ve got another big test ahead of us,” Postecoglou added. “A win would be huge, and we’ve earned the right to make a statement.”

Continue Reading

Trending

Button Anchor Ad

Copyright © 2025 Phuket Time News.