Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will not take up his usual touchline position this weekend when the Reds travel to Everton in the Premier League.
01.11.2023 - 23:49 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Erik ten Hag insists he is a "fighter" amid growing pressure on his role as Manchester United manager after another damaging defeat.
United lost 3-0 in their second successive home game to Newcastle United as their defence of the League Cup ended in the fourth round.
Five of United's eight defeats this season have come at Old Trafford and it is the first time they have lost five of their first ten games at home since 1930-31.
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With United out of the only competition they have won in the last six years, nine points off the top four in the Premier League and in danger of Champions League group stage elimination, scrutiny is growing on Ten Hag's position.
"I'm a fighter," Ten Hag stressed, "and I know it's not always going up and we have a lot of setbacks this season so far, but you also have to deal with it and it's never an excuse.
"I have said before, when there are setbacks, the routines, the way of play are not similar, not the same, but even then you have to get the results in.
"Obviously, Sunday and tonight was far from that. We have to do things right, at a certain level, a minimum level to win games.
"I understand [the scrutiny]. When the results are not there then there is a logical process questioning that. I am confident I can do it. I have done it at all my clubs and also last year, I did it here as well.
"But at this moment, we are also in a bad place. I take responsibility for it. I see it as a challenge, I'm a fighter, I am in the fight and I have to make sure I share the responsibility with the players that we stick together, fight together and get better results in."
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will not take up his usual touchline position this weekend when the Reds travel to Everton in the Premier League.
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