Erik ten Hag reacts to Manchester United defeat to Arsenal after leading Ajax to victory

Erik ten Hag refused to comment on Manchester United’s latest defeat as he insisted his focus remains on Ajax this season.

The 52-year-old took charge of his current side for the first time since being confirmed as United’s new manager. Ten Hag led his team to a 1-0 win over NEC Nijmegen to take them a step closer to the Eredivisie title.

Ajax’s win came just hours after United's trip to Arsenal. United fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates as they suffered their second loss of the week and their third in the last four games.

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The loss all but ends United’s hopes of finishing in the top four, having drifted six points off the Gunners with just four games remaining. It means Ten Hag is unlikely to have Champions League football to look forward to when he arrives at Old Trafford at the end of the season.

United’s latest defeat once again underlined the huge job facing Ten Hag ahead of the summer. Speaking after his latest win with Ajax, the Dutchman insisted he wasn’t losing focus on his current job.

“I always keep concentrated and focused on the job I have to do,” Ten Hag said. “It doesn’t matter what’s around me. You always spend time on the future, but my head and my energy is for Ajax.”

Asked about United’s defeat at Arsenal, Ten Hag added: “I don’t have an opinion about that. I showed respect for the people now who are at Man United, and I’m responsible for Ajax.”

Despite not being willing to speak about his new team on Saturday, Ten Hag has already lifted the lid on his reasons for leaving Ajax. In an interview with Trouw, he said: "This is already a bonus year.

"Things were already happening last summer, but I wanted to be