Erik ten Hag has demanded that his “mad” Manchester United players use last weekend’s devastating loss against Tottenham Hotspur as motivation to beat Porto.
United are set to face Porto at the Estádio do Dragão on Thursday, in their second group match of the 2024/25 Europa League campaign.
The Red Devils will be heading into the match on the back of a humiliating 0-3 loss at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
United were second-best for most of the match and were rightfully beaten in front of the Old Trafford crowd.
Since the defeat, Ten Hag and his players have found themselves under immense pressure and anything short of a convincing win against Porto is unlikely to appease supporters, who are growing increasingly frustrated with the team’s progress under the Dutchman.
Ahead of the meeting vs. Porto, Ten Hag told reporters that there must be a reaction to last weekend’s horrible result.
He said, “Always, when we are not winning we are disappointed and we are also mad with ourselves.”
“We are mad, mad with ourselves, especially when you lose a game like Sunday… but you have to deal with it. We are mad, and from the madness we have to get motivation.”
On how results can improve, Ten Hag remarked, “Everyone has to take responsibility and that starts with me as the manager. But on the pitch we have leadership skills and they have to stand up. Every game for us is important and every opponent is 100% motivated. We have to be ready to compete and fight with them.”
The United manager was asked about the new leadership team, even as speculation over his position at Old Trafford continues.
“We talk everyday. We are a union and we made that commitment in the summer. We refreshed the staff and I appointed my assistants, I appointed the staff. I did this. We refreshed the squad as well.”
“This club wants to be back on top and it’s a long-term target. We talk every day. Every day we evaluate and review the process and where necessary we make our decisions.”
On his conversations with sporting director Dan Ashworth, Ten Hag stated, “It’s not necessary to give me confidence. We talk every day about how we can improve this club, this team, improve the processes, the procedures, the connections. That is what we talk about.”
He urged his players to stick to the plan even when things get tough on the pitch.
“Is one game [Tottenham]. In one game there is a review of what we could have done better, for instance after conceding so quickly a goal which shouldn’t happen, you have to keep calm and composed and stay in the game and stick to the plan. We can improve definitely.”
On whether the players have belief, the 54-year-old coach emphasised, “I have seen so many games on Sunday where we are completely confident. City in the FA Cup and Community Shield, you see the team have such a great belief in the plan and in each other.”
“If we didn’t create chances and we create a lot of chances, the third highest xG in the Premier League. We have to improve the final third and in the box game, be more killers there. Our strikers are capable of doing this.”
Ten Hag gave an injury update on Mason Mount, who was not part of the travelling squad to face Porto. The United gaffer divulged that Mount is currently dealing with two injuries – a head issue and a knock that he picked up.
Ten Hag also said that he expects Luke Shaw to make his return to action after the October international break but possibly not the first match at home against Brentford.
Porto vs. United kicks off at 20:00 BST.
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