“STOP THE BLAME, AM NOT THE PROBLEM AT MANCHESTER UNITED”, “I coach the play what the like-ERIG TEN HAG Has issued warning to Manchester United fans after chants that he should be sacked
After the Manchester United supporters started jeering after the 1-1 draw with Burnley at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag has encouraged them to have patience.
There was a notable demonstration of opposition from Old Trafford when Ten Hag decided, halfway through the second half and with the score still tied, to substitute Scott McTominay and Amad for Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund. Boos also greeted decisions to substitute Hojlund earlier in the season against Manchester City and Brighton.
It seemed like Antony’s goal 11 minutes from time would save United’s blushes, but Andre Onana’s mistake resulted in a late penalty that Zeki Amdouni scored, and the home crowd jeered as the final whistle blew.
Ten Hag defended his double switch and claimed that, as he assembles his United team, he must show patience in order to spare his young players from the weariness that has already begun to set in.
Though they are supporters, Ten Hag said, “I have to lead the squad and win games first. You know, by then, we need some freshness but also some technical skill to introduce a player who can keep the ball and is creative.”
It was the appropriate call because the midfield game was intense and up and down. Rasmus and Kobbie, who are extremely young players, showed signs of exhaustion. Because Scott is so effective in open circumstances and can make some penetrations from there, you may see some advantage from it by bringing in fresh legs.
“This week, we have three games. Since Burnley had days off, it makes perfect sense to substitute young players who are in their first season in the Premier League in such a high-stakes match. This season has caused Rasmus Hojlund to sustain more injuries, while Kobbie suffered two serious ones. As a result, I take precautions to keep them safe from harm.
“I recognize that supporters want to witness these guys’ talents since they are valuable members of the squad. I know that, but I had to get my work done, and that was the appropriate choice.”
Ten Hag cited Hojlund, Mainoo, and Alejandro Garnacho in particular as examples of his team’s youth and inexperience, and he asked for patience from the team’s backers and owners in order to continue reassembling the roster.
Because of the young guys we have, we are rebuilding this team. It need time,” he said. “We bring in new players; Hojlund, Mainoo, Garnacho; they are all in their first season in the Premier League, and every year it becomes more competitive. Intense compared to the previous season.
“It takes time for such athletes to acclimate. Although I’m quite impatient, patience is a need for both us and the fans since we’re developing a squad and we need the experience.
“You have to maintain concentrate all the way through when you start to feel tired. This season, we had more time—seven, eight, nine, or ten more minutes in a game—to maintain the intensity of our play. They must overcome that barrier, which they can only learn by experience.”
Ten Hag also responded to critics who liken his United club to some of the greatest teams from bygone periods, citing the early to mid-2000s squads that were going through a rebuilding phase under Sir Alex Ferguson.
It’s wildly inaccurate. In 2004 and 2005, the legendary Manchester United teams were also in the process of growing; they didn’t play particularly well, but it takes time,” he said.
“Everyone forgets that even the players on that squad were having difficulties and needed time to become better.”
