Under-fire Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must use their "madness" at Sunday's Tottenham humiliation as motivation in their bid to turn things around.
The Dutchman's third season in charge has begun in alarming fashion, with the 3-0 Old Trafford humbling by Spurs increasing the pressure on his position and noise around the club.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag
Defiant Ten Hag said he did not fear the sack after that loss, but the United manager is under intense scrutiny heading into a crunch double-header before the international break.
The Red Devils travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, three days after attempting to ignite their Europa League campaign at Porto.
"As always when we are not winning, we are very disappointed and we are also mad, mad with ourselves and especially when you lose a game like Sunday," Ten Hag said at his delayed press conference.
"Also after all when you had to play such a long time with 10 players and after the red card is overturned, that gives frustration because such a long time to play with 10 is of course never in your advantage and had a real impact on the game but you have to deal with it."
"We are mad and from the madness we have to get motivation and go onto the next game."
Ten Hag insisted in an interview before the trip to Portugal that United's poor start to the campaign was nothing "to panic about" as he ignored talk of the sack and focused on making this season a success.
The manager has often pointed to their Carabao Cup triumph in his first campaign and last term's season-saving FA Cup triumph, plus he has repeatedly explained the club are in transition.
Picked up on his comments about United being in transition, Ten Hag said: "Because of course, first season when I came in we had to replace six or seven older players, like (Juan) Mata, (Nemanja) Matic, (Paul) Pogba, (Jesse) Lingard."
"So, we started a process but also this summer we still had to replace some other players."
"We replaced them with many young players, like (Joshua) Zirkzee and Leny Yoro."
"They need time to get used to the standards of the Premier League, the standards of a club as United, especially, we have to fit them in our game model and in the standards of the league they are playing in."
United need to kickstart their season and Europa League campaign in Porto, having been held to a 1-1 draw by Ten Hag's former club Twente at an expectant Old Trafford last week.
That result means they have won just one of their last nine European games a victory against Copenhagen that required a stoppage-time penalty save from Andre Onana.
Their continental headaches extended to the build-up this time around, with fog in Porto delaying their arrival by two and a half hours.
United have brought a 23-man squad to Portugal, including Kobbie Mainoo after he went off with an apparent hamstring issue against Spurs.
Harry Maguire missed that match with a knock but travelled to Porto, where Mason Mount, Yoro, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw remain absent.
"(Mount) had a head injury and picked up a knock so they are the two reasons why he's not available for tomorrow," Ten Hag said.
"On the left-back, they are improving but we hope Luke Shaw can return after the international break quickly."
"I don't know if it's the first game we're hoping for, but I can't, in this moment, tell this with 100 per cent security."
"But, yeah, from now on, we have two-and-a-half weeks to work to that point. And, shortly after, he'll be there."
"Tyrell is making good progress on the pitch but has to make the step up to full team training."
Man Utd hand Amir Ibragimov his first professional contract🚨✍🏻 Official: Amir Ibragimov has signed his first professional contract for Manchester United.He’s highly rated internally among talents for the future. pic.twitter.com/YrkLvNUeRd— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 3, 2025Real Madrid sign highly-rated Diego Aguado🚨⚪️ 18 year old talent Diego Aguado has signed new deal at ...
Arsenal preparing new contract offer SakaArsenal are all set to offer a new contract to their star player Bukayo Saka as they look to tie down the English winger on a long-term basis. Saka's current deal expires at the end 2026-27 season but Football Insider reports that the Gunners officials have already initiated contract talks with the player.Madrid to join Arsenal in race to sign ZubimendiPer ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Preston 0-3 Aston Villa (FA Cup)Rashford 2 goals That was the real Brazil.▫️ No TikTok dances.▫️ No extravagant hairstyles.▫️ No individualism.It was a joy to watch.. No way!!! LOL Soccer A GOATED FRAME! Solskjaer's Besiktas becomes the first club to beat Galatasaray in the league this season. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Cre...
The model famously dated ex-England star Dele Alli between 2016 and 2021.Ruby Mae has shown off her figure in a stunning new shootThe model rocked a backless white dress in the spring time inspired snapsRuby did some flower pickingThe 30-year-old has previously modelled for Chanel and Dolce & GabbanaAlli has joined Serie A side Como in a bid to resurrect his career after two years on the sidel...
Wayne Rooney was caught short as he got suited and booted for a lads night out. The Manchester United icon, 39, hit the town in a black suit and tie as he enjoyed a few hours at The Nest Rooftop bar in Marylebone, an exclusive bar that boasts a 360-degree view of the London skyline.And the group would then leave Marylebone and head for the posh district of Mayfair as they settled in for dinner and...
Ex-England midfielder Alli, 28, hopes to kick-start his career at Italian side Como.The model showed off her figure in a stunning figure-hugging dressAlli and Cindy arrived to the match hand-in-handCindy and the former Spurs star have been dating since June 2022.She currently works as a model and influencer and is signed to Uno models.Cindy put on a show as she rocked up to the Stadio Giuseppe Sin...
RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons alongside a Manchester United badgeManchester United have been linked with a move for RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons and TEAMtalk can confirm there is interest in the Dutchman, but a blockbuster deal this summer has major obstacles.The 21-year-old has had an interesting journey so far, having joined Paris Saint-Germain from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, before being sent to RB Le...
Ange Postecoglou insisted his controversial cupped ear celebration to Tottenham fans in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea had been misinterpreted on another bad night for the Australian.Spurs slipped to a 16th defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a 50th-minute header by Enzo Fernandez, but it only told half the story of a typically frenzied London derby.VAR was required to rule out a fine strike...
Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Sam Barrott last night Kiwior VS Vinicius Jr. & Mbappe Fun Fact Once upon a time they all used to called as next Messi. VAR referee placing bets during a live game in the Bulgaria league. Only Didier Drogba can do this… Tottenham always make Chelsea feel better Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, ori...
- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender