Jamie Carragher said this week that Manchester United have gone backwards this season; Erik ten Hag has hit back by saying that his team have actually improved.
Erik ten Hag (left) has hit back at Jamie Carragher’s claims that Man Utd have gone backwards
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Erik ten Hag (left) has hit back at Jamie Carragher’s claims that Man Utd have gone backwards
Erik ten Hag has disagreed with Jamie Carragher’s comments that Manchester United are going backwards this season – by saying the statistics show that his team has actually improved.
United host local rivals Manchester City in a Super Sunday derby this weekend, live on Sky Sports with kick-off at 3.30pm, in the latest acid test to see how far Ten Hag’s side have improved from last season.
In his column in The Daily Telegraph, Carragher said United’s summer signings have led to the club becoming “stale” – and that Ten Hag should now be questioned about whether he can get the best out of his squad.
But in his pre-match press conference for the City game, Ten Hag hit back at those claims.
“In possession we have to do better, but there are reasons and I don’t go into them, but everyone is seeing why. But there are also facts so I disagree [with Carragher], we are much better,” said Ten Hag.
“In high ball regains, we are a top of the Premier League. In the middle [of the pitch] ball regains, we are top. The pressing is very good. So that’s not the truth, what he [Carragher] is telling.”
In a fortnight where United have picked up three straight wins against Brentford, Sheffield United and FC Copenhagen, albeit via far from convincing performances, Christian Eriksen said United still need to find their “balance and routines” this season.
Asked about those comments, Ten Hag said: “We are in the right direction. We have a way to go. I see positives but I see negatives.
“What Christian is referring to is we are not consistently in possession on the level where we can be. Like Arsenal away, the first 30 minutes in Bayern Munich away. We should do this on a consistent basis.
“We don’t take the benefit in the attacking transition moments, we should be because the ability in the team can take benefit from it. We pay attention to it, we need to grow. Then games will become easier.”
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