Erik ten Hag believes he and his Manchester United players must “save their season together” by beating Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter‑final at Old Trafford on Sunday to keep alive their last chance of silverware.
United are 17 points behind Arsenal and Liverpool, the top two in the Premier League, and out of Europe, so claiming the FA Cup is their final hope of not ending the season trophyless. Jürgen Klopp’s side will arrive in impressive form. Ten Hag was asked if he trusted his players to rescue their campaign.
“We have to save the season together,” the manager said. “We know we have to catch up in the Premier League. Now we have an opportunity to win silverware, the only opportunity is the FA Cup and we are only three wins away. They are big games [versus Liverpool] and we have to play our best. Sunday is a test for us but we like the test, we like a challenge and we can, within a certain range, be relaxed because we believe in ourselves, but on Sunday we have to prove that.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s new minority owner, and his key aide, Sir Dave Brailsford, are undertaking a structural assessment of the club. As part of this Ten Hag’s position is under scrutiny. Last season the Dutchman led United to the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup final and Champions League qualification via third place. This term the side has suffered from multiple injuries plus off-field problems concerning Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and Antony, and started the weekend eight points behind Aston Villa in the fourth guaranteed Champions League berth. Ten Hag was asked whether his management of the current campaign shows Ratcliffe and Brailsford a different side of his abilities.
“Yes. As a manager I know it’s not only going up,” he said. “Sometimes you have setbacks and we have had a lot of setbacks this season. But you can always look at the big picture and I know when the injured [players] are back [we will improve]. When we had [some] back [previously] you already see we increased our performances, and the results went back up.
“We lost some players again but I think we are more consistent – we learned something about it [how to cope without the absentees]. But also we need more players in the squad who can contribute, so that will be the next step – to achieve more consistent levels. And as you can see we are not that far away from the top four, either, so when you have a bit more depth in the squad and already you should carry more points.”
Ten Hag believes the team, the club and himself will grow because of this adversity. “It’s about sticking together,” he said. “You have to face it together, make sure you are on one page together. Always around Man United is noise: don’t get distracted by it, know together where we are going; what is the project and also the process, and that everyone knows why we are in the position where we are. And how can we improve it. So have the attitude to always give your best every day, deliver, and then finally you will achieve your aims and goals.”
Mason Mount has endured an injury-blighted first season at United and has not featured since November. The 25-year-old is back in full training and Ten Hag is confident regarding his ability. “I’m convinced he will be [a key player],” the Dutchman said. “He didn’t have the chance to prove this point. But he will be a very good player for Manchester United.
“It’s been really unfortunate and disappointing for him but also for us when you have such a class player … and you can’t play him. He has had injuries as we all know. I am sure when he is fit he will play and get into that rhythm he will contribute to a successful Manchester United.”
