Erik ten Hag: Manchester United fighting to turn poor form around | Jadon Sancho future depends on him
Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd's poor form, reports of dressing room leaks, and Jadon Sancho's future; follow live updates of Man Utd's trip to Burnley on Sky Sports' digital platforms from 6.30pm on Saturday, kick-off 8pm; watch free highlights shortly after full-time
Saturday 23 September 2023 06:51, UK
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are fighting together to try to turn their season around and insists Jadon Sancho's future depends on the winger's actions.
United have lost four of their first six matches, with Wednesday's 4-3 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League following a 3-1 reversal against Brighton, leaving Ten Hag embattled little over a month into the new campaign.
The Dutchman said: "It's my second year. I know it's not always only going up, you will have your gaps and you get stronger from it as long as you stay together, and that's what we're doing.
"The dressing room, staff, all the staff, coaches, medical, everyone is united and at United you fight."
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Ten Hag bemused by reports of leaks and agent's influence
Stories of disgruntlement in the United dressing room have begun to appear while the attitude of players has also been questioned.
Ten Hag tried to paint a positive picture, saying: "I don't know if it's a leak but I know opinion, I know my players. Everyone can make suggestions, we are OK with it."
There have also been suggestions of unhappiness at the influence of Ten Hag's agent, Kees Vos, and his Sports Entertainment Group on transfer dealings.
"It can't be, because we make very good agreements about it from the start, how we cooperate in that manner," said Ten Hag.
"For player decisions, transfers, it's always 50-50, we both have a veto - the club, represented by John Murtough, and me. So there can never be a distraction."
Ten Hag: Sancho's future depends on him
United's poor form has made Saturday's trip to Burnley a high-pressure occasion, and they will again be without Jadon Sancho, who remains absent from the squad due to disciplinary issues.
"It depends on him," said Ten Hag. "For the rest, we are preparing for Burnley and that's our focus. He will not be in the squad."
Ten Hag seeks solutions to defensive dilemma
Ten Hag admitted he is at a loss to explain Manchester United's poor defensive performances.
The Red Devils have conceded 14 goals in their last five games and 10 in the last three, with three goals against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday not enough even to earn them a point.
United boss Ten Hag said: "We have shown that we can do it because last year we had the most clean sheets in the Premier League because of the team, because we defended very good as a team, so we have to get back to that standard.
"Of course I am pushing the team and demanding from the team, and from the start of the season, but they are human beings, not robots, so, why they are not doing it, I try to find out and I try to give the solutions and try to motivate the players to do the job.
"When you are in a period like we are in always as a manager you are asking yourself these questions. My job is to get them to do the job."
Varane, Mount, Amrabat could be available
United have not been helped by a multitude of injuries but could have Raphael Varane, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Harry Maguire back for the clash at Turf Moor.
Central to United's problems has been a lack of defensive solidity, with 14 goals conceded in their last five games.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana held his hands up after making a mistake for Bayern's first goal but Ten Hag believes the problems are collective.
"It's about team and, as a team, we don't have the results in this moment so then also individuals don't bring the performance you expect, not only one player, there are more, including the manager," he said.
"I always tell my players we attack with 11 and we defend with 11. When one or two are not doing their job, it's like a pack of cards, so that is not only one or two players."
Burnley picked up their first point on their return to the Premier League against Nottingham Forest last time out and Ten Hag is a fan of their style of play under Vincent Kompany.
He said: "As always, it's about how we play against Burnley. There's no easy games, definitely not against Burnley.
"We know how intense they play football, we know their approach. I like the approach from them, the adventure, high intensity and dynamic in their game, so we have to play our best."
Follow live updates of Man Utd's trip to Burnley on Sky Sports' digital platforms from 6.30pm on Saturday, kick-off 8pm. Watch free highlights shortly after full-time.
What's coming up for Man Utd?
September 23: Burnley (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm
September 26: Crystal Palace (H) - Carabao Cup, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
September 30: Crystal Palace (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
October 3: Galatasaray (H) - Champions League, kick-off 8pm
October 7: Brentford (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
October 21: Sheffield United (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm
