Posted: 17:13, August 7, 2022 | Updated: 22:56, August 7, 2022
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag explained the scale of the challenge he faces at Old Trafford after losing his first Premier League game yesterday. The defeat at Brighton brutally highlighted the task of Ten Haag, who is United’s fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. “It’s a hell of a job,” he admitted. “It won’t come overnight. I think we should have done better, that’s for sure. It’s a setback. It’s a disappointment and we have to deal with it. Erik ten Hag says his Man United players must ‘learn quickly’ from mistakes in Brighton’s 2-1 win It takes time but we don’t have time and we have to deliver. We know the situation. “We have to win every game, that’s the attitude. It is clear that we are not happy with this game, we have to learn our lessons and move forward.’ Ten Haag admitted his side’s confidence and self-belief is fragile after United’s worst Premier League history. “We lost our faith in the first half and that can’t happen,” he added. “I can understand that after last year, but it’s not necessary as they are good players. Self-belief comes from yourself, bring it to the field.’ Boss feels no need to sign new United stars, saying current players ‘could do better’ Ten Haag has defended his decision to start Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench and play Christian Eriksen as a false nine. “Ronaldo can be in team training for 10 days, it’s too little for 90 minutes and the reason we didn’t start him,” he said. “He needs to do a bit more to be fit. This will help him and he will be better next week. “It was clear that in the second half we were better in midfield with Eriksen deeper and Ronaldo up.” Ten Hag is still keen to strengthen in attack and it is understood that United had a £7.5m bid in Bologna for former West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic rejected. United want to bring in the 33-year-old Austrian as a squad player. “I don’t get into names,” Ten Haag told Arnautovic. “We have two strikers, maybe a third with Marcus Rashford.” Meanwhile, former United striker Danny Welbeck was outstanding for Brighton on his return to Old Trafford despite the effects of a stomach bug. Brighton manager Graham Potter joked: “He would have stuck the toilet on his back to play. Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench but Ten Haag praised his impact after being brought on
