Under-pressure Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is not worried about losing his job after his side’s horror start to the season continued with a Champions League home defeat to Galatasaray.
The Red Devils threw away a 2-1 lead to fall to a 3-2 loss at a rain-soaked Old Trafford and suffer their worst start to a season since 1986.
They have lost six of their opening 10 games for the first time in 37 years and their chances of getting out of the group stages already look in doubt after just two matches.
But Ten Hag, who says there are “no excuses” for his side’s dismal performances, insist everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction.
Asked whether he feared for his job, the Dutchman said: “Last season: brilliant, terrific, more than we could expect.
“We also knew in this project there would be common gaps. At this moment we are in a very difficult period as everyone can see but we come out together, we are fighting together, we are sticking together and we are behind each other. That is me, the directors, the team, all together we will fight.
“This is not us, we know we have to do better, with togetherness we will come out.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 3, 2023
“If I give an explanation, then you will see as excuses, there are no excuses. We can’t make the errors we are now making. We have to do better, it is a simple fact, we have to win our games.”
United had victory in their own hands after two Rasmus Hojlund goals, either side of former United winger Wilfried Zaha’s leveller, put them on course for a much-needed win.
But Kerem Akturkoglu again pegged them back and then a woeful error by Andre Onana set them on a path to self-destruction as his abysmal pass led to Casemiro fouling Dries Mertens in the penalty area and the Brazilian was sent off.
Mauro Icardi missed the resulting penalty, but made amends three minutes later as he grabbed the winner and sealed a first ever victory on English soil for the Turkish side.
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 3, 2023
Onana also made a costly gaffe in the Group A opener at Bayern Munich a fortnight ago but Ten Hag, who managed him at Ajax, has backed the Cameroonian to come good.
“We are happy with our goalkeeping group, definitely with Andre,” Ten Hag said. “He was in one semi-final of the Champions League, last year he was in the final of the Champions League, he has the capablilties to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
“He has shown that and he will do. We already have seen in games his great capabilites, also his personality after he made mistakes. He will bounce back and I am sure he will in the coming games as well.”
Galatasaray were good value for their victory and are now a good bet to progress to the knockout stages, having taken four points from their opening two games.
“In the second half I believe we played better, we had more chances,” coach Okan Buruk said. “At the end of the day we are happy, we won against this team, a very important team.
“This victory is very important for Turkish football, for us and for our standing in the group.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. What should we do, guys? EPL 1st Wek !! Sesko vs Gyokeres lastnight They must communicate using sign language… Arsenal fans for the 6th year in a row Chelsea dropped points ? Chelsea really do sign anyone these days...Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, NoContextChe1)...
Liverpool cool Rodrygo interest after Chiesa's goal heroicsLiverpool have been linked with Rodrygo amid reports he is free to leave Madrid this summer. But after Federico Chiesa came off the bench to score in the Reds' 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday, The Mirror states that the Italian will stay at Anfield and a Rodrygo pursuit is unlikely.Palace line-up move for Eze replacement from PL rivalsS...
Chelsea Open to Loaning Out Raheem Sterling Again After Arsenal StrugglesChelsea are reportedly prepared to send Raheem Sterling out on loan once more with permanent transfer options dwindling, following the winger’s underwhelming stint at Arsenal.According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are increasingly willing to let the 30-year-old leave on loan again following his disappointing spell at Arsen...
DONE DEAL: Bournemouth Confirm Signing of Ben Doak From LiverpoolBournemouth have officially confirmed the signing of highly rated winger Ben Doak from Liverpool.The 19-year-old has left his boyhood club to join Bournemouth for a reported fee of 325 million, signing a five-year deal.Doak impressed during his loan spell with Championship side Middlesbrough last season, scoring three goals and provi...
Brentford RAISE Asking Price for Newcastle United Target Yoane WissaBrentford have reportedly raised their asking price for Yoane Wissa with Newcastle United interested in signing the striker this summer.Newcastle are understood to be interested in signing the 28-year-old as speculation surrounds the future of Alexander Isak.According to The Standard, Brentford have made a potential deal harder by...
Chelsea Transfer Issues Stall Alejandro Garnacho Signing Amid Nkunku Exit DelaysChelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly being held up due to the club not yet finding a permanent home for Christopher Nkunku.According to The Sun, Chelsea’s ‘steep’ asking price for the 27-year-old is stopping them from making more signings this summer.It’s understood that E...
Crystal Palace Eye Shock Move for Wolves Star as Tottenham Close in Eberechi EzeCrystal Palace are reportedly exploring a surprise move for Wolves player Hwang Hee-chan as Tottenham edge closer to securing Eberechi Eze.According to Sky Sport CH, Tottenham are expected to have their 360 million bid for the 27-year-old accepted by Crystal Palace.Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Eze fe...
Inter Milan Plot Shock Move for Man United Goalkeeper Andre Onana After Amorim SnubInter Milan are reportedly considering a surprise move to bring Andre Onana back from Man United after Ruben Amorim left him out of their squad vs Arsenal.According to The Sun, the Italian giants are keeping tabs on the 29-year-old as speculation grows surrounding his future at Old Trafford.Onana joined Man United f...
RB Leipzig Send Chelsea Transfer Warning as Xavi Simons Deal StallsChelsea’s pursuit of Xavi Simons faces uncertainty as RB Leipzig tell them he will only leave if it 'makes sporting and financial sense.'The 22-year-old is understood to have already agreed personal terms with Chelsea, turning down reported interest from Bayern Munich and Man City.Chelsea are yet to agree a fee with RB Leipzi...
Galatasaray Approach Man City Over Potential Deal for Manuel Akanji as Guardiola Demands SalesGalatasaray have reportedly approached Man City regarding a potential move for defender Manuel Akanji with Pep Guardiola looking to sell several players before the end of the transfer window.Speaking after Man City’s 4-0 win over Wolves in their first Premier League game of the season, Guardiola des...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 4 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 5 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 6 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 7 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 8 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 9 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 10 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss