Erik ten Hag says Manchester United ‘need more time’ after 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his team still needs more time to regroup following the 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

United were second throughout the competition and things only got worse when captain Bruno Fernandes received a red card shortly before half-time with the score at 1-0.

Ten Hag endured a difficult start to the campaign after remaining as United manager following an end-of-season review in June. It was United’s second 3-0 home defeat this month, following the match against Liverpool on 1 September. Former club captain Gary Neville, who is part of the task force exploring the regeneration of Old Trafford, described the performance as “disgusting”. broadcast of the match on Sky Sports.

“No, I don’t think about it,” Ten Hag replied when asked if he was concerned that United’s hierarchy were considering a managerial change following the Spurs result.

“We all made this decision together to stay together, as an ownership group and a leadership group this summer, we also made the decision, after clear review, of what we need to improve as an organization and how build a team.

“All decisions are made together, also knowing that it would take time, given how the window went, some late players, like Ugarte, we have to integrate him, the organization, the injuries.

“We need time, we are all here on one page, one boat, the ownership, the management group, the staff, the players too.”

United went 1-0 down in the third minute with Brennan Johnson converting from close range after a defense-splitting run from centre-back Micky van de Ven. Fernandes was sent off just before the break for a challenge deemed a serious criminal act , with fellow midfielder Kobbie Mainoo withdrawn for Mason Mount shortly after due to injury.

Spurs doubled their lead early in the second half when Dejan Kulusevki pushed Johnson’s deflected cross past him. Dominic Solanke scored his third goal in as many games in the 77th minute to wrap up the match, with the Englishman’s strike prompting many supporters to leave Old Trafford. Boos rang out at the final whistle.

Substitute Mount had to be taken off himself following a collision with Radu Dragusin late in the match which left him bleeding from the head. Ten Hag said United “should see how they recover in the coming days” regarding the injury status of Mount and Mainoo, adding that they were “concerned” about the latter.

The result leaves United 12th in the Premier League table with just two wins from their opening six matches. They are winless in their last three games, with Spurs’ defeat coming after a goalless draw at Crystal Palace and last Wednesday’s 1-1 home draw against FC Twente in the Europa League.

United return to the Europa League on Thursday with a trip to Porto. They will then travel to Aston Villa next Sunday for their final league match before the October international break.

(Top photo: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)