Erik ten Hag 'certain' struggling Manchester United will turn season around

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is convinced his struggling side will turn their season around - starting against Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Ten Hag’s side were outclassed and defeated 3-0 at home to Manchester City on Sunday and have now lost as many games as the seven they have won in all competitions this season.

“Nobody at this club enjoys defeat, particularly in a Manchester derby like last Sunday,” Ten Hag told the United Review, the official match programme, ahead of playing Newcastle.

“But everything we have achieved together so far has been built on looking forward, which means we have to move on quickly from what happens, whether it is positive or negative. We have never spent too long enjoying our victories, so we will not spend too much time thinking about our losses. We must always look forward, together.”

Manchester United and Newcastle United met in the final of the Carabao Cup in February, with Ten Hag’s side lifting their first trophy in six years – and preventing Newcastle from winning a first major trophy since 1969.

“I continue to believe in these players and am confident we will improve after a difficult start to the season,” said Ten Hag.

“On Sunday, in the first half particularly, we showed good defensive discipline and we created opportunities to counter-attack, but we were unable to capitalise on those chances at decisive times in the game. Important moments went against us and we were once again reminded that any mistake is punished at the highest level.”

United’s form had picked up before the derby, though performances from what has been an injury-hit side have been poor all season and the team are seven points off fifth and have only