Erik ten Hag has insisted he has not been surprised by the scale of the challenge presented to him at Manchester United.
The Dutchman was brought in this summer as the latest step of United’s rebuild but has endured a bumpy start to life at Old Trafford, overseeing a 2-1 loss to Brighton and a stunning 4-0 thumping at the hands of Brentford which has left United 19th in the Premier League table.
Ten Hag could become the first United manager in 101 years to lose his first three matches if his side fall to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday evening, but the Dutchman believes he has what it takes to restore United to their former glory.
“I’m not here for myself, I’m here for the club and to restore the club,” Ten Hag said.
“I knew before that this would be a challenge and I wanted this challenge. I knew before it was going to be hard but I wanted that, because in my career, everywhere I started, the start was difficult, but I get it done, and I’m convinced I [will] get it done here as well.
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“I chose this project, I knew it’s a process and I will stay consistent to the philosophy and to the plan we had, and I keep confidence in the co-operation I have in the players and the team around me, the coaches and the directors.”
Ten Hag is keen to bring in more new faces to bolster his squad, with midfielder Casemiro joining from Real Madrid and talks still on with Ajax over a big-money move for winger Antony.
However, the boss acknowledged that new faces alone will not fix United’s struggles and urged his senior players to step up.
“When the attitude is not good from the team, often the leaders are not there, because they are the ones who give the example and go in front. That is a point we have to work on,” he said. “I work always with a group of leaders, not one in particular. I spoke with the leaders about this issue.”
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