Erik ten Hag has expressed his disappointment over Manchester United’s crushing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, urging his team to use their frustration as fuel in their upcoming clash against Porto. With United languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, Thursday’s Europa League match could be a pivotal one for the manager, whose job appears increasingly under threat.
United’s lackluster performance against Spurs has left Ten Hag in a precarious position, intensifying the pressure on him and his squad to produce a strong response in Portugal. The manager admitted that both he and the players were “mad” about the outcome of Sunday’s match, especially after playing much of the game with ten men due to a controversial red card given to Bruno Fernandes, which was later overturned. “As always when we are not winning, we are very disappointed and we are also mad; mad with ourselves and especially when you lose a game like Sunday,” Ten Hag stated. “Also, when you had to play such a long time with 10 players and after the [Bruno Fernandes] red card is overturned that gives frustration because such a long time to play with 10 is of course never in your advantage and it had a real impact on the game, but you have to deal with it. We are mad and from the madness, we have to get motivation and go on to the next game.”
The upcoming Europa League fixture has now taken on added significance as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s football department, headed by Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, and technical director Jason Wilcox, prepares to scrutinize United’s response. With another critical Premier League game against Aston Villa looming on Sunday, Ten Hag’s fate could be decided based on the team’s performances over the next few days. The stakes are undeniably high, and when asked if he had been given any assurances regarding his job security following the Spurs loss, Ten Hag was candid about his ongoing dialogue with the club’s hierarchy.
“We talk every day,” he revealed. “We are on a common journey – we made that agreement in the summer. Everyone has to take responsibility, and that starts with me as a manager. But also on the pitch.” His words suggest a shared commitment to turn things around, but the message was clear: accountability lies with everyone involved.
Despite the pressure, Ten Hag has shown a measured approach. Earlier, he spoke to Sky Sports, dismissing concerns over the team’s recent struggles. “This is nothing for me to panic about because I experienced it so often with my teams during seasons that you are facing those problems,” he said. The manager’s calm demeanor in public contrasts with the reported anger and frustration within the squad, indicating that United’s trip to Porto could be as much about restoring pride as it is about securing a much-needed victory. Whether this fury can be transformed into a winning momentum remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Ten Hag and his team are approaching a crucial juncture in their season.
