It is a match where the supporters will be keen to see a response following their successive home defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.
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It goes without saying that Manchester United are going through a terrible run of form and are struggling big time for consistency. The Red Devils have lost more matches than they have won in the Premier League till now and are unable to replicate their last season form. Injuries and off-field issues have undoubtedly played a part. However, United’s inability to convert their chances and failure to cut down errors at the back have cost them dearly.
Next up for Manchester United is a Premier League clash against Brentford on Saturday. It is a game where the supporters will be keen to see a response following their successive home defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray in their last two matches. Erik ten Hag was asked what qualities he expects to see from the team against Brentford. “Consistency, that is the problem we are struggling with. In parts of the game, in big parts of the game, I would say we do a lot of things right,” ten Hag, quoted by the club’s website, said during a pre-match press conference.
He added: “But then we have moments where we are struggling and in such moments we cannot survive. In this moment you have to do the right things, survive and in the job, be consistent with the communication. When you do that you keep the right organisation and you do it like before. Definitely, you can mark such moments when we score a goal or concede a goal as decisive moments that are going against us, then we lose a little bit as a team. But for over 95 per cent of that, we are [acting] as a team, so keeping doing [this] all the way through. So step up.”
The injuries to defenders and the addition of a new goalkeeper, Andre Onana, has made it difficult for Man United to maintain a stable defence. When asked how to fix it, ten Hag replied, “This is what we we’re just talking about over the last few days about communication. Of course the routines that you make when every game changes, the routines are a little bit less. 99 per cent [of the time] in top football, if you make mistakes, a top team will punish you. We have talked about how we need to be on the same page, we need communication in such moments and that we are organised. Then it is about the player and the willingness to be in the right spot and make the right decisions in the moment.”
The manager then shifted his attention Marcus Rashford, who has struggled to replicate his last season form. Ten Hag was asked what difference is he seeing in his play now compared to last season. “That is of course the team and him. It is both, so I am sure that you are always not at the same levels. Of course everyone knows the qualities of him, but also the opposition knows the qualities [of him],” he explained.
“But if Rashy [Marcus Rashford] is doing the things right and the team is doing the things right, we will put him in the right places and then it is up to him. We have seen in the last [few] weeks that he is coming into good positions, [but] now he is struggling. This will pass because everyone knows his qualities. Everyone at Man United supports him and the whole team is supportive of him, believes in him. So I am sure with that confidence and belief that the team is behind him. This will change and it will pass.”
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