in front of monday night football, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said: Sky Sports” Gary Neville talks about Harry Kane's targets, Rasmus Hjølund's positivity and the club's game model and style of play.
Ten Hag is completing his second season at the club, which has had its ups and downs both on and off the pitch.
Man United have been plagued by a number of injuries, particularly at centre-back and left-back, something Ten Hag has repeatedly pointed out in his conversations with former Man United defender Neville.
Ahead of Monday's live match against Crystal Palace. sky sportsTen Hag covers this and more when speaking to Neville…
Ten Hag: You can't compare different players like Kane and Hujlund
“Expectations are so high at this club that we can only have outstanding players. Manchester United is the biggest club in the world, maybe second or third biggest, with the biggest fan base. There will always be expectations because we have.”
“Everyone has an opinion about Manchester United, and it's only the outstanding players.
“It's about players with all the skill sets, the physical skill set and especially the mental skill set that we need to perform and contribute because we have to win every game. There are expectations from us in every game, so you can only live up to those expectations when you have them.'' Those outstanding players.
“But over the last 10 years and during this period, we haven't always been able to get the players we wanted. But then you have to grow and replace players who have already proven that in the past. We have to accept that we are getting talented players.”
“We have made some selections with talented players like Rasmus Højlund, you see we have strikers who have already proven themselves, we wanted to sign them but we couldn't get them, and we I chose Rasmus because he is talented.
When asked if he was referring to Harry Kane, he replied: “Yes, and we know Harry Kane will score 30 goals. I think Rasmus will get there too, but he needs time. It's fair to rate him the same as Harry Kane. I would never compare the two players because they are so different.
“But with Hojlund, I think we had the greatest potential in the striker position last summer and we are very happy with him. But he also needs time to adapt and we are very happy with him. I'm very happy that he showed his assets in terms of scoring goals.”
“After he showed that, he had a very good period scoring goals in a lot of games, but he had some physical problems before and after that, which is normal for young players coming up. But it has a negative impact on the team's results and that's the problem.'' It's something you have to accept.
“Then you go back to the fans and opinion formers and they either don't understand this or don't want to understand this. That's how Man United are judged, they only look at results. But we need time.
“We have to accept that the process will be slow and we cannot expect it to go straight.” [away] They will compete for titles in the Champions League and Premier League. ”
Ten Hag talks about Manchester United's game model
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag meets with Gary Neville to discuss the club's structure and working with the new INEOS owners.
Jason Wilcox was recently appointed technical director at Man United and will focus on a 'game model' where all teams from one club play the same way, much like Ten Hag's previous team Ajax. is guessing.
“Here's a game model. What do you think?” [Alejandro] Can Garnacho and Coby Mainu come out? Because implementing that was one of my goals from the previous leadership team.
“It was already going on, they were already improving the academy, you see them winning the FA Youth Cup and the academy teams are becoming champions, so that's the structure that was built a few years ago. ”
“Now we're getting some income from it, but the best thing is to bring in players.” [into] Top teams like Coby and Garnacho.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag downplays rumors of club players being released this summer
“They are very young players who have already represented England and Argentina. They are at a pretty good level and are one of the best players in their country at the moment, a world-class country.”
“They bring the level that we need, but we need more from players like that because football is progressing very quickly, development is progressing very quickly. , do not stand still. You must constantly make new improvements so that the technical capabilities can be demonstrated.'' Directors working on the game model are the right choice.
“The rationale is here, the evidence is there.
“The first meeting is going well… We have to move things quickly now as the summer is approaching. This is a very important time to take the opportunity and give the team the next step and avoid risks. I want to come up with a plan to create an environment.''There are injury issues this year. ”
Ten Hag talks about Manchester United's style of play – and why it's not working this season
“Frustration [at the style of play not working] I am a practical person, so this word is not appropriate. When I came last year, we'll make adjustments, but at the end of the day, what's important is winning games. Since last year, we have found a way to build a very successful team.
“This year we wanted to take the next step. We brought in a goalkeeper who could play from the back, a dynamic midfielder in Mason Mount who had been injured all season, and a young, much-needed goalscorer in Hojlund. time.
“On the one hand, we are pretty confident that we made the right choice and we can move on to the next step. But with all the injuries coming, we are very much in some positions, such as the back four. Made many changes.
“We have now played 47 games and there have been 30 combinations in the back four. They were not choices of our own, they were choices that were forced on us because of players getting injured… A little bit about football But anyone in the know would think so.'' They know it has a huge impact.
“Then Casemiro had a long-term injury. There were so many problems in the team and we didn't always play the way we wanted.
“But fans want to see a successful team, a winning team. That's what we always try to do, and that's a compliment to the team, but every game they strive for that and He had spirit.”
“We're making a little bit of an adjustment to the way we play, because when you don't have a left-footed centre-back or a left-back in a full-back position, you have to adjust the way you want to play.” .
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“We're not where we want to be with the way we want to play, but the reason we're still getting attention in the headlines is because we're aggressive, we're dynamic, we want to play on the high line. That is what we are always aiming for.”
“We have been trying to improve. We have scored more goals and been more consistent after the winter break. We won't lose as many in 2024, just three, but we have a lot of draws. Too much. All we can do is throw ourselves in.'We've got a winning position, but we need a draw to get over the line.
“When you change so many people in the back four, the rules and principles remain the same, but there is no pattern. We are not delivering results and we know that.”
Has Ten Hag ever considered playing more defensively?
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“We thought about this and one of my goals here was to introduce an aggressive way of playing.
“The players will come back, so if we then adjust and go to a very defensive style and that doesn't suit the players we have, we'll all lose confidence if we don't get results.
“And when the players come back, we have to get back to being proactive and we have lost so many times.
“At the same time, we're also seeing an aggressive style. We've improved our offensive game, we've scored more goals, we've become more consistent… We continue to improve, but we're not good enough. Not.”
“We know it and we know what it demands and what the standards are. We have to take the next step because we want to get back to winning. We want to get into a winning position. Then you have to cross the line.”
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Man United have also taken over 600 shots on goal this season, the most in Premier League history.
“If you look at the stats, it's clear. Last season we kept a stable back four, did the same thing and kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League.”
“So if everyone's fit, they can play the defense we want, but it's also about possession. When you don't have the players behind you, you don't have the pattern, and you don't have the team. “On the left. If you have a left-footed player, you already have to make adjustments.
“Not only will the way we play change, but the possession will change, and less possession means more shots.
“There are several reasons why this happened, but I don't think it has anything to do with how we want to play, because it's proven.” [last season], the place with the most clean sheets in the Premier League. ”
Ten Hag talks to the media about defending players in the FA Cup final
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has praised Jadon Sancho following his recent performances on loan at Borussia Dortmund, but will not discuss his future at the club next season.
“I have to protect the team from unfairness. [in recent press conferences]. We can accept this, we know the standards and we are not happy with the season to begin with, but we know we can win the cup this season, so stay positive.
“Everything is judged as a negative, but offensively we improved throughout the season. Some of our young players have improved a lot, but it's unfair to say it's all bad.”
“Also, the young players take time to reach their highest level, but they have the potential to show this season, which is a positive thing.
Gary Neville says he doesn't want a spirit of excuses to creep into Manchester United's dressing room
“Right now we need a stable team and I'm sure that with it we can bring more wins.
“We have two chances. First of all, we have to defend our position in the league, so that's one of our focuses. “Secondly, of course, we have reached the FA Cup final twice in two years. It's a great chance to win the Cup.
“Manchester Untied have played in the FA Cup final twice in two years, which hasn't happened that often, especially in the last 10 years. For this group of players, this is a great opportunity for us to seize.”
The Football Show's Sam Brits and Peter Smith discuss Manchester United's options this summer as Jadon Sancho returns to form
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