Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has vehemently denied rumors that his position at the helm of the struggling Premier League club is under threat, accusing the media of fabricating “fairytales and lies” about his future.
The Dutch tactician’s comments come in the wake of a disappointing run of form that saw United go five games without a win, culminating in a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. This slump sparked widespread speculation that Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end, particularly given the club’s 14th position in the Premier League table.
Following the Spurs loss, former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp suggested that Ten Hag might be “out of his depth” at United, further fueling the uncertainty surrounding his future. The international break provided an opportunity for the club’s hierarchy to assess the situation, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other key figures attending a pre-planned board meeting in London.
Despite the mounting pressure, Ten Hag remains in his role and insists that there is no internal discord at the club. He has taken particular issue with media reports that have ignored his post-match comments after the goalless draw at Aston Villa, in which he stated that he had received full backing from the club’s hierarchy.
“The noise is only coming from some of you, creating stories and fairytales and bringing lies,” Ten Hag said. “I know we are on one page at this club. I said this before the break. I told several journalists. Probably the journalists didn’t believe me because I saw the reports. But internally, it is quiet.”
United’s next challenge comes against Brentford, a team managed by Thomas Frank, who was one of the candidates considered for the manager’s job last spring when Ratcliffe was still evaluating Ten Hag’s suitability. Brentford has not won at Old Trafford since 1937, but last season they led going into stoppage time before being dramatically overturned by Scott McTominay’s late brace.
Ten Hag acknowledges that United’s current position is unacceptable but maintains that he and his team are committed to turning things around. “Of course, we are unhappy with the position where we are,” he said. “The ranking is not lying and it is not good enough. But we are quiet and composed. We stick to the plan and are convinced it will be a success.”
As United enters a crucial period of their season, Ten Hag will be hoping to silence his critics and guide the club back to winning ways. The pressure is mounting, but the manager remains defiant and determined to prove his doubters wrong.
