Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (54) has acknowledged the need for significant squad improvement despite recently extending his contract until 2026. While celebrating the FA Cup triumph that salvaged last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish, Ten Hag emphasized the impact of injuries and a lack of depth in key positions.
In an interview with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Ten Hag acknowledged the demanding schedule of 61 matches faced in the previous season, stating, “That’s simply bizarre… We are not the only team that struggled with injuries, other clubs had the same.” He highlighted the persistent injuries in defense, stating, “At one point we had almost no defenders available.”
Ten Hag recognizes the challenges inherent in rebuilding the squad: “When we started here, United hadn’t won a trophy for six years and it really wasn’t because they didn’t have good managers here. It does say something about the composition and quality of the player group. I knew that when I started, of course, but they were players with long-term contracts.”
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He emphasized the ongoing process of squad development, stating, “We were and still are in that process (of building). If you compare our squad with other top clubs in the Premier League, we are certainly a bit less in terms of depth. That is exactly why we found it so difficult to deal with those injuries.”
Ten Hag’s position appeared precarious towards the end of last season, but the crucial FA Cup win over Manchester City served as a lifeline. Describing his approach at that time, he said, “There was so much going on at that stage but I still firmly believed that we could win that final. The most important thing of all was to convey that belief to my team. I had to be careful that the entire environment did not become negative in advance.”
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Displaying unwavering commitment to the club, Ten Hag declared, “If United’s management find someone tomorrow who they think is better, then I’ll go. It’s that simple. Those are the mechanisms in football that you have to respect. At a club like this, it is crystal clear: if you don’t win, you have a problem.”
The demanding nature of the job was evident in his reflection on the season, “Let’s face it: you lose too many matches, it just takes strength to keep the team focused and motivated every time. The players are disappointed, the people around you are disappointed.”
Despite the challenges, Ten Hag remains optimistic about the future, pointing to positive developments within the club, “There has since been a staff overhaul at the club and I suggested better times are ahead. If you put in place the right structures and work well together, if you also have a good relationship with the players, then you know that things will get better again.”
Ten Hag’s dedication to rebuilding a competitive Manchester United is clear. By addressing squad depth and working with the revamped structure, he aims to deliver sustained success and restore the club to its former glory.
