Erik ten Hag urges Manchester United to use ‘madness’ as motivation

Underneath-fire Erik ten Hag says Manchester United should use their “insanity” at Sunday’s Tottenham humiliation as motivation of their bid to show issues round.

The Dutchman’s third season in cost has begun in alarming trend, with the 3-0 Previous Trafford humbling by Spurs rising the strain on his place and noise across the membership.

Defiant Ten Hag mentioned he didn’t worry the sack after that loss, however the United supervisor is underneath intense scrutiny heading right into a crunch double-header earlier than the worldwide break.

The Pink Devils journey to Aston Villa within the Premier League on Sunday, three days after making an attempt to ignite their Europa League marketing campaign at Porto.

“As at all times when we aren’t successful, we’re very dissatisfied and we’re additionally mad, mad with ourselves and particularly while you lose a recreation like Sunday,” Ten Hag mentioned at his delayed press convention.

“Additionally in spite of everything while you needed to play such a very long time with 10 gamers and after the crimson card is overturned, that provides frustration as a result of such a very long time to play with 10 is after all by no means in your benefit and had an actual influence on the sport however it’s a must to take care of it.

“We’re mad and from the insanity now we have to get motivation and go onto the subsequent recreation.”

Ten Hag insisted in an interview earlier than the journey to Portugal that United’s poor begin to the marketing campaign was nothing “to panic about” as he ignored discuss of the sack and centered on making this season a hit.

The supervisor has typically pointed to their Carabao Cup triumph in his first marketing campaign and final time period’s season-saving FA Cup triumph, plus he has repeatedly defined the membership are in transition.

Picked up on his feedback about United being in transition, Ten Hag mentioned: “Due to course, first season once I got here in we needed to exchange six or seven older gamers, like (Juan) Mata, (Nemanja) Matic, (Paul) Pogba, (Jesse) Lingard.

“So, we began a course of but additionally this summer season we nonetheless needed to exchange another gamers.

“We changed them with many younger gamers, like (Joshua) Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.

“They want time to get used to the requirements of the Premier League, the requirements of a membership as United, particularly, now we have to suit them in our recreation mannequin and within the requirements of the league they’re enjoying in.”

United must kickstart their season and Europa League marketing campaign in Porto, having been held to a 1-1 draw by Ten Hag’s former membership Twente at an expectant Previous Trafford final week.

That end result means they’ve received simply one among their final 9 European video games – a victory in opposition to Copenhagen that required a stoppage-time penalty save from Andre Onana.

Their continental complications prolonged to the build-up this time round, with fog in Porto delaying their arrival by two and a half hours.

United have introduced a 23-man squad to Portugal, together with Kobbie Mainoo after he went off with an obvious hamstring problem in opposition to Spurs.

Harry Maguire missed that match with a knock however travelled to Porto, the place Mason Mount, Yoro, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw stay absent.

“(Mount) had a head harm and picked up a knock so they’re the 2 the explanation why he’s not obtainable for tomorrow,” Ten Hag mentioned.

“On the left-back, they’re enhancing however we hope Luke Shaw can return after the worldwide break shortly.

“I don’t know if it’s the primary recreation we’re hoping for, however I can’t, on this second, inform this with 100 per cent safety.

“However, yeah, any more, now we have two-and-a-half weeks to work to that time. And, shortly after, he’ll be there.

“Tyrell is making good progress on the pitch however has to make the step as much as full staff coaching.”