Jamie Carragher has told Manchester United fans that they need to 'keep the faith' with Erik ten Hag after their opening day defeat to Brighton.
The optimism that Ten Hag brought with him to Old Trafford had almost entirely disappeared by half-time during United's Premier League curtain-raiser. The players were greeted with boos as the first half ended with Brighton 2-0 up, as fans wondered what had happened to all the pre-season momentum.
The Dutchman has been handed nine-years worth of problems and nobody would have been expecting a quick-fix to what has sadly been a steady decline since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club. There is little doubt that Ten Hag has a long-term rebuild on his hands and 90 minutes of football was never going to change that.
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During trying periods in football, managers are now often the first casualty of poor performances on the pitch. It therefore came as no surprise when calls of supporters to be patient with Ten Hag emerged as he settles in to life at Old Trafford.
This is something that former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher has reiterated as he urged United fans to remain patient with their new manager as he tries to turn the club's fortunes around.
Carragher told Sky Sports : "I still think Manchester United will improve on last season. You can't see it getting any worse with their points that they got and the goals they conceded.
"The window's not closed, they've still got a couple of weeks to get some players in.
"There's a criticism of the players they're trying to bring in, but I've been in that position myself at Liverpool when you're trying to chase the top teams and at times you have to think: 'Should I take a chance on this player?'. Whereas a Liverpool or a Manchester City don't have to take those chances. That's the benefit of being successful.
"You can't judge the squad until the window's closed and you'll see where they go from there. Ten Hag has got a great pedigree in what he did with Ajax and how good they were in the Champions League. He built two teams there - so you have to keep the faith with the manager."
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