Erik Ten Hag acknowledged the pressure he faces leading Manchester United as they compete for a Champions League spot.
The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League standings, trailing fourth-place Tottenham by three points with a game remaining, but with a much worse goal differential.
Ten Hag acknowledged the difficulty of the task at hand and the added pressure that comes with leading a top-tier club like United, but he emphasized that his team is up to the task.
Erik Ten Hag’s statement
”We are aware [of the need to push for a top-four place],” the Dutchman told reporters. “The competition is tough, but I think it counts for all of the seven or eight clubs who are competing for the top four. For those who follow the Premier League, it is great because it is exciting and you have to battle with everyone to get those points.
“I get it and I understand it [the pressure]. This is also the same for the manager of Chelsea and for Newcastle United. At all of those clubs, they invest a lot in their clubs. There is big pressure at all of those clubs because they all want to get into the top four.”
Due to the winter World Cup, Ten Hag was away from his players for more than four weeks, but United returned to action on Wednesday with a bang.
In the Carabao Cup, goals from Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford helped Manchester United advance past Burnley 2-0 and face League One team Charlton in the quarterfinals. In order to move up the league standings, the Dutchman will be hoping his team can maintain this form when they face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
Ten Hag will lead his team to Wolves on New Year’s Eve after returning to Premier League play against Forest on December 27. Wolves will aim to make a good impression on new manager Julen Lopetegui.
