Erik Ten Hag has claimed that Manchester United are going “in the right direction” despite being condemned to a 10th Premier League defeat of the season by Fulham.
Ten Hag's side were completely outplayed by Fulham in the intense game at Old Trafford, according to several pundits, purists, and enthusiasts of football.
However, Erik Ten Hag believes that his side are still on the right track despite the defeat, with the team occupying the 6th spot on the log, with 12 matches left to pay this season.
Nigerian duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi plotted Manchester United's downfall, with the latter scoring in the 65th minute, before Harry Maguire equalized in the 89th minute for the Red Devils.
Unfortunately for the home supporters, Iwobi netted the decisive goal of the encounter 7 minutes into stoppage time, directing a well-struck effort beyond the reach of Andre Onana.
Speaking after the game, Erik Ten Hag urged many to look at the bigger picture, additionally claiming that the team will become stronger with the addition of more quality players.
He said: “I'm 19 months in and I see we are going in the right direction. We have had setbacks in the second season, but you see the team coming, the squad developing, working hard on the training pitch, working hard during games.
“It's important to have players fit but also to construct the squad. We will be strong, and we will be even stronger when we add to this squad even more qualities.”
The Dutchman also expressed that his players showed “big character” against 12th-placed Fulham, despite capitulating in the dying embers of the encounter.
He added: “The team showed big character to fight back, we deserved the equalizer and went for the win - we showed big personality and character”.
“You have to see the bigger picture. The bigger picture looks very good”.
Erik Ten Hag was appointed on July 1, 2022, with his current contract running until June 30, 2025.
He guided Manchester United to the Carabao Cup title last season alongside helping the club secure qualification to the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
The 2023/24 season hasn't gone according to what he would have envisaged with the team crashing out of several cup competitions and far off from battling for the league crown.
Injuries have also plagued Ten Hag's side, with many key name players picking up knocks in key moments of the season, notably; Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, and Lisandro Martinez to mention a few.
Anyway, Manchester United return to action on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, facing Nottingham Forest in the 5th round of the FA Cup, and Erik Ten Hag will be hoping that his side can progress into the next round of a competition that looks like their best shot at a silverware this term.
Ten Hag's side were completely outplayed by Fulham in the intense game at Old Trafford, according to several pundits, purists, and enthusiasts of football.
However, Erik Ten Hag believes that his side are still on the right track despite the defeat, with the team occupying the 6th spot on the log, with 12 matches left to pay this season.
Nigerian duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi plotted Manchester United's downfall, with the latter scoring in the 65th minute, before Harry Maguire equalized in the 89th minute for the Red Devils.
Unfortunately for the home supporters, Iwobi netted the decisive goal of the encounter 7 minutes into stoppage time, directing a well-struck effort beyond the reach of Andre Onana.
Speaking after the game, Erik Ten Hag urged many to look at the bigger picture, additionally claiming that the team will become stronger with the addition of more quality players.
He said: “I'm 19 months in and I see we are going in the right direction. We have had setbacks in the second season, but you see the team coming, the squad developing, working hard on the training pitch, working hard during games.
“It's important to have players fit but also to construct the squad. We will be strong, and we will be even stronger when we add to this squad even more qualities.”
The Dutchman also expressed that his players showed “big character” against 12th-placed Fulham, despite capitulating in the dying embers of the encounter.
He added: “The team showed big character to fight back, we deserved the equalizer and went for the win - we showed big personality and character”.
“You have to see the bigger picture. The bigger picture looks very good”.
Erik Ten Hag was appointed on July 1, 2022, with his current contract running until June 30, 2025.
He guided Manchester United to the Carabao Cup title last season alongside helping the club secure qualification to the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
The 2023/24 season hasn't gone according to what he would have envisaged with the team crashing out of several cup competitions and far off from battling for the league crown.
Injuries have also plagued Ten Hag's side, with many key name players picking up knocks in key moments of the season, notably; Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, and Lisandro Martinez to mention a few.
Anyway, Manchester United return to action on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, facing Nottingham Forest in the 5th round of the FA Cup, and Erik Ten Hag will be hoping that his side can progress into the next round of a competition that looks like their best shot at a silverware this term.