Erik ten Hag says stuttering Manchester United must ‘respect the criticism’

Erik ten Hag says he respects the critics and even embraces some of their suggestions as Manchester United’s frequently under-fire manager prepares to take on Tottenham.

Sunday sees the stuttering Red Devils welcome Ange Postecoglou’s side four days after their deflating 1-1 draw with FC Twente at an expectant Old Trafford.

Ten Hag was annoyed by United’s mentality and toothlessness in a Europa League opener that followed a frustrating 0-0 stalemate at Crystal Palace.

Onwards to Sunday ✊#MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/4rlZSHZBPq

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 26, 2024

Those results, but particularly Wednesday’s performance, have increased the noise around United, but Ten Hag has long since learned how to deal with doubters.

“First of all, respect the criticism,” the Dutchman said. “There are many. You can have an opinion about football.

“When you are in the job, you have to deal with this, but I can’t take every criticism into account.

“I don’t read, of course, all the criticism. It’s not even possible but I don’t want even to know. I need to know some, and some are very good advice.”

After joking with a reporter at the press conference, Ten Hag continued: “But for me it’s stay clinical and see where the team is, which areas we have to improve.

“Stay also methodical, that you guide the team in the right pathway and make sure you make the right steps to get the best out of the team.”

Level-headed Ten Hag repeatedly points to the fact that United are a team in transition as they seek to return to the top of the sport.

Without a Premier League crown since Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out as champion in 2013, chief executive Omar Berrada recently told staff about ‘Project 150’ – their plan to win the title by their 150th