Erik ten Hag said managing Manchester United is like «swimming with your hands behind your back» after Arsenal's 1-0 win at Old Trafford inflicted a record ninth home defeat of the season and left United outsiders to secure European qualification.
Leandro Trossard's first-half goal moved Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table going into the final week of the season, but FA Cup finalists United have now won just one of their last nine games in all competitions — against relegated Sheffield United. — Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Ten Hag was once again forced to deploy midfielder Casemiro at centre-half because of a defensive injury crisis, while Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Mason Mount were among a number of high-profile injury absentees.
Having cited the team's injury problems for the club's miserable season, former Ajax coach Ten Hag said his job has become increasingly difficult. «Any manager can always do something better, but I am two years here and I had only one time the full group of players, and you cannot progress a team with so many injuries,» Ten Hag said. «It is like swimming with your hands behind your back.
You have to keep your head above water and we are trying to do that. »It shouldn't be like this, but I return to all the problems we have and you then analyse the performance.