EPL: Erik ten Hag dismisses reports of dressing room unrest

Erik ten Hag dismissed reports that some Manchester United players have lost faith in his management.

It was reported on Monday that several United players have become disenfranchised with the Dutchman, with his playing style and treatment of Jadon Sancho seen as issues.

In the wake of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, one source claimed that 50 per cent of the dressing room has turned against Ten Hag, but the manager pointed to the draw away to Galatasaray and win at Everton last month as evidence that those reports are untrue.

Asked whether there is disorder among his squad, Ten Hag – who was speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League game at home to Chelsea said: “Not in the dressing room. Of course, there are a lot of rumours but it is not that we get distracted by it.

“We are on a journey. We know we are in transition but we are in the right direction.

“We construct a team, develop it, the team is progressing, young players are coming in and you see the potential of how they can contribute to a successful Manchester United team for the future.

“We had a week or two of good performances and one bad performance. The team is in a good direction. We played very good football, and scored very good goals against Galatasaray and Everton.

“Against Newcastle, we didn’t play great. We’re not happy with that performance but we stayed in the game and had two good opportunities to get a point.

“With a little bit more determination we could have taken something.”

Pressed on whether he still has the backing of his players, Ten Hag insisted: “Yes, I am sure.”

The manager then pointed to several tight wins earlier in the season, saying: “You can see for instance the comeback against Brentford, the Burnley game, the Fulham game.

“Every time the team is there, showed great character, great determination, resilience, so we are together.

“You can’t play such great football as we did recently without unity.”

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