West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has dismissed suggestions that his Manchester United counterpart Erik ten Hag does not have a clear and defined style of play.
Over the past months, Ten Hag has faced significant criticism for United’s style of play—or the perceived lack thereof.
It was a big problem last season when the Red Devils finished in eighth position in the Premier League, and it still remains an issue, even as the club’s struggles on the pitch continue.
Currently in his third season at Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s future is increasingly uncertain and it has been suggested that a managerial change could be made by the hierarchy unless results and performances drastically improve.
However, according to Lopetegui – who is equally under pressure amidst West Ham’s extremely poor start to the campaign – the idea that Ten Hag lacks a style of play is simply not true.
The two sides are set to meet at the London Stadium on Sunday and ahead of the match, Lopetegui spoke to the media and stated, “For sure, for sure. For me it’s very clear.”
“They [United] have one way to play, to attack and to defend, for sure.”
“Our work is to analyse and to be able to beat them, but they have one kind of style to attack and to defend, for sure.”
Lopetegui added, “We are going to play against a very big team — Manchester United is one of the best teams in the world.”
“We have to be ready to face them and work hard to beat them.”
The West Ham gaffer remarked that pressure and criticism are part and parcel of being a Premier League manager.
“When you become a coach, you live with pressure always. This is normal, and sometimes it is good too. It is our kind of life. I think that all the coaches, we are under pressure always, sometimes more, sometimes less depending on the last matches.”
“There are a lot of matches in front of us, I believe a lot in these players, and I am sure that the good results are going to arrive.”
West Ham vs. United kicks off at 15:00 BST.
