Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Arsenal, Premier League, Injury, Football
Alex Brotherton
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Arsenal, Premier League, Injury, Football
Erik ten Hag hit out at a journalist over a 'pathetic' question following Manchester United's defeat to Arsenal.
Man United's dismal season sank to a new low on Sunday when Ten Hag's side were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at Old Trafford, their 14th Premier League defeat this term.
While there is no shame in losing to a title challenger, the loss dealt a severe blow to United's hopes of competing in Europe next season.
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United are currently eighth in the table and are on course for their lowest finish in more than 30 years, meaning they might have to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final if they are to play in Europe next year.
The pressure is mounting on Ten Hag, who is far from certain to stay on at the club for the third and final year of the contract he signed in 2022.
To be fair to the Dutchman, his plans for United this season have largely been scuppered by an unprecedented injury crisis.
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However, after Sunday's match he became frustrated with a reporter when asked how big the gap in quality between United and Arsenal would be if he had a fully fit squad.
"That is pathetic," Ten Hag replied.
"We don’t have to answer this question in this moment. Because it isn’t. We have these problems and the problems have caused us an effect in results. But I don’t know where we would be if we had the players on board.
"If we had all of the players on board, we will get more points and have more consistency in the backline."
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In a different post-match interview Ten Hag said: "Any manager can do better but also I am two years here and I have one time had a full group of players.
"You can't progress a team in certain key areas with so many injuries. It's like swimming with your hands on your back and you have to keep your head above the water level, that is what we try to do.
"We are still in a cup final. This is good. But if you want to progress a team you need fit players and you see our opponent today, they had only one not 100 per cent match-fit player and we had so many.
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"I don't like reactions but you have to always be there, you have to always be spot on when you are Man United. But if it happens, you need a reaction and the players gave the reaction."
United will wrap up their league campaign against Newcastle and Brighton before turning attention to the FA Cup final on May 25.