Erik ten Hag was in a defiant mood as he addressed the media on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Chelsea.
The Red Devils head into the clash on the back of a disastrous display away to Newcastle United on Saturday, with the 1-0 scoreline not doing justice to the level of the Magpies’ dominance. On the back of the game, reports in various publications suggested Ten Hag has lost the dressing room, but the Dutchman hit back at those claims.
The ex-Ajax boss said his players have shown their ‘character’ on various occasions this season, insisted he will always listen to feedback from his players, and claimed the team are moving forward.
Those reports on Monday earned four journalists bans for the press conference at Carrington and Ten Hag said it is ‘not the right thing’ how the mood in the United camp was reported on by the Manchester Evening News, the Mirror, ESPN and Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, the United manager also admitted that there are lots of rumours surrounding the club at present, and even seemed to reference the ongoing takeover saga when he spoke of the 'strategic review', but added he cannot allow his players to be distracted by the outside noise.
The final question in Tuesday's media briefing centred on Marcus Rashford, who has been heavily criticised in recent days following his disappointing display at St James' Park.
Here’s what Ten Hag said in Tuesday’s press conference, ahead of the Premier League clash against Chelsea…
1. Still has players' backing?
"We had a week of two good performances and one bad performance so from there on we carry on, the team is in a good direction. We played very good football scored very good goals against Galatasaray and Everton and against Newcastle didn’t play great, we knew that, we were not happy with that performance, but although we stayed in the game and had two good opportunities to get a point. With a little bit more determination, we could have taken something. Still we are in the ranking, of course we dropped but are not too far away so we are okay."
2. Banned media
"They should come to us first and not go around our back printing articles, that is not the right thing. I think we have another relationship, they can, they should come to us beforehand, we have a normal and professional discussion and debate about it."
3. Are certain players unhappy?
"Of course there are always in every team players who are not playing or less playing who are less happy, that is not different to normal, in some circumstances you need that, they have to wait for their chance and that can come. But no, there are no issues."
4. Listening to players
"I listen always to my players and I give them always opportunities to tell, if the players have a different opinion of course I will listen. But they haven’t told me. Or maybe one or two, but it is about in general, the majority, they want to play like this - proactive, dynamic, brave, that is what they want. You can see the players are behind it because of the performances against Everton and Galatasaray. You see the we are really improving. You see that goal? Do you think we can make the goal we did against Everton if the players don’t embrace it? What do you think?"