- Erik ten Hag asked for patience from the experts who played for Manchester United
- The Red Devils were booed after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Burnley
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Erik ten Hag has asked Manchester United fans and television commentators who played for the club to be patient after his substitutions were loudly booed during the disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.
The United manager was forced to defend himself when Old Trafford showed open displeasure when popular teenager Kobbie Mainoo was replaced midway through the second half by Rasmus Hojlund with the game still goalless.
Ten Hag also felt the need to defend the team as a whole, stating that they are “one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in the league” despite struggling for form this season.
Antony put the Red Devils ahead after 80 minutes but relegation-threatened Burnley equalized with a late Zeki Admouni penalty, causing surprise among the United faithful.
“I’m the coach and I have to decide what the team needs,” Ten Hag said. “It was the right and totally logical decision to take out very young players who are in their first year in the Premier League and are feeling some fatigue.
Erik ten Hag asked for patience from United fans and television commentators who played at the Club
The Red Devils were booed after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Burnley on Saturday.
‘They have both had injuries this season and I want to protect them.
‘Fans need patience. I understand that they want to see the skills of these players, but the league becomes more intense year after year and the young players need to adapt. That takes time.
Ten Hag also criticized former United TV pundits such as Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, who criticized the current team for failing to meet the standards set by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The manager said: “People forget that the 2004-05 Man Utd team didn’t play that great football either (while Fergie was building a new team around Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo). They were building and it took time but everyone forgets, even the players who were on the team.”
Ten Hag went on to talk about the team as a whole, defending their style of football while talking to BBC sport. He said: “We are one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in the league at the moment.”
“We are creating a lot of opportunities by playing good football. Yes, we concede that too. We have to learn from it because it was unnecessary to lose control.”
Midfielder Mainoo has become a firm favorite among United fans in his breakthrough year.
The 19-year-old youth player didn’t make his first Premier League start until November but quickly established himself in the first team and made his debut for England against Brazil last month, raising expectations that he will be in Gareth Southgate’s team. during Euro 2024.
He also criticized former United TV pundits such as Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, who criticized the current team for failing to meet the standards set by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Experts criticize United because they currently sit in sixth place in the Premier League standings, a long way from qualifying for the Champions League.
Kobbie Mainoo has become a firm favorite among United fans in his breakthrough year.
Criticism of ten Hag’s changes underlines the difficulties the Dutchman faces in staying in the job next season.
United are currently sixth in the Premier League table, well short of Champions League qualification and are heavy underdogs against Manchester City in next month’s FA Cup final.
Hojlund, 21, has also struggled to make an impact since his £72million move from Atalanta, scoring just eight goals in 26 appearances.
