MX23RW : Sunday, September 29 13:12:15| >> :120:6926:6926:

Erik ten Hag says Old Trafford "needs to be a fortress"

Erik ten Hag says Old Trafford
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag calls on his side to rediscover their impressive form at Old Trafford.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that it is vital Old Trafford is "a fortress" for the club if they are to be successful this season.

The Red Devils were impressive at home in Ten Hag's first campaign at the helm, only suffering one defeat in the Premier League at Old Trafford last term.

Man United have lost their last two league encounters in front of their own supporters, though, going down 3-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion on September 16 before losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The 20-time English champions have made their worst start to a league season for 34 years, having been beaten in four of their opening seven matches.

The Red Devils now have two more home games in quick succession, with Galatasaray heading to Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, before Brentford visit Manchester next Saturday.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire and teammates look dejected after the match on September 30, 2023© Reuters

Ten Hag has said that Man United must become difficult to beat at home once again if they are to be successful, but he played down claims that the team had become easy to play against at Old Trafford.

"We lost two games [here] in a row in the Premier League now, that is clear, but I wouldn't set that as a conclusion [right] now," the Dutchman told reporters during his press conference on Saturday.

"We have to do better that is definitely the case, but we have to show it, even in our body language.

"Old Trafford needs to be a fortress and [we need to show] that you can't get anything here. The only way other teams do that is if we lose. We have to do better here. The demand is that we get a row of wins to get into a rhythm. We have to do better than we are doing right now."

Manchester United's Raphael Varane heads at goal against Crystal Palace on September 30, 2023© Reuters

Meanwhile, Ten Hag said that his players must improve their output in the final third of the field.

"I think every occasion is different. Sometimes it's like calmness and composure, other times it's being more clinical, other times be more direct. The next time, play the extra pass," he added.

"As I've said, it's about decision-making, the qualities and skillset the players have. There were many occasions, I can't count them, but we are in the position to put the ball where we want to be.

"I think I repeat myself but we came into the positions and have to make the [correct] decision. Yes, these players can do better. We have more qualities than we showed today."

Man United will once again be without a number of first-team players against Galatasaray through injury, but Sergio Reguilon could recover from the issue which has seen him miss the last two games against Palace.

ID:525451:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4021:

Click here for more stories about Erik ten Hag

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Harry Maguire and teammates look dejected after the match on September 30, 2023
Read Next:
Man United make worst-ever start to a Premier League season
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Rams
@
Bears
6pm
Eagles
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Steelers
@
Colts
6pm
Saints
@
Falcons
6pm
Broncos
@
Jets
6pm
Vikings
@
Packers
6pm
Bengals
@
Panthers
6pm
Jags
@
Texans
9.05pm
Patriots
@
49ers
9.05pm
Washington
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Browns
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa5401107312
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs52129547
11Manchester UnitedMan Utd52125507
12Brentford6213810-27
13Bournemouth512258-35
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Everton6114715-84
16Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
17Crystal Palace603359-43
18Ipswich TownIpswich503238-53
19Southampton501429-71
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!