Erik ten Hag accepted the blame on Wednesday night as another humiliating defeat cast doubt over his future as Manchester United manager, but insisted: ‘I’m a fighter.’
United lost 3-0 at Old Trafford for the second time in four days and relinquished their hold on the Carabao Cup against a makeshift Newcastle side.
In the space of 90 minutes, Ten Hag went from 8-1 for the sack to second favourite to be axed among Premier League managers as he lost for the eighth time in 15 games this season.
‘It is below the standards everyone expect from Manchester United – it is not good enough by far,’ admitted the United boss.
‘At this moment we are in a bad place. I take responsibility for it. I see it as a challenge. I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players and that we stick together and fight together, and get better results.
Erik ten Hag accepted the blame for Manchester United’s limp Carabao Cup exit
United have now suffered consecutive heavy 3-0 defeats in front of their home crowd
‘We have to put it right. It is my team and they are not performing. I am responsible. As a team we are not good enough and whatever the reasons are, there is no space for excuses.
‘We have to do things better and we have to raise our standards because otherwise you never get the right levels of performance and never get the results.
‘But I am a fighter. I know it is not always going up and we have a lot of setbacks this season so far, but also you have to deal with it and that is never an excuse.’
Asked if he doubts his ability to turn United’s fortunes around, Ten Hag replied: ‘I understand it when the results are not there it is also a logical process that they are questioning that. But I am confident I can do it. At all my clubs I have done it and also last year here I did it as well.’
United relinquished their hold on the Carabao Cup against a makeshift Newcastle side
Wednesday night’s humiliation followed another 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday and there were again boos at the final whistle.
‘We have to do things right and at a certain level, at the minimum level to win games,’ said Ten Hag. ‘Obviously, on Sunday and tonight were far from that.
‘We are Manchester United and it is expected you can deal with that pressure. I heard the fans backing us. We don’t deserve it at this moment but I am happy they are behind us.’
Newcastle were able to celebrate only their second win at Old Trafford in 51 years after avenging a defeat to United in the final of this competition at Wembley in February.
Another humiliating defeat casts doubt over his future as Manchester United manager, but Ten Hag has vowed to turn things around at the club
‘It was a massive performance from the players I can’t credit them enough,’ said manager Eddie Howe.
‘I personally have always found it a difficult ground, and Newcastle the same, so another thing to be really proud of is the commitment showed by everyone. I thought we scored some great goals, the quality was a real highlight.
‘The message at half-time was to be positive and brave and continue to do the things that brought us success. I have seen many games here where the crowd win them the game.’
