Man United’s Ten Hag: ‘I was never distracted from the mission’

Manchester United head coach Erik Ten Hag said he was never distracted from the ultimate mission after taking over the reins of the club. The Dutchman admitted he knew it was always going to be a tough road with the club as they are looking to build themselves into a potent unit.

In the last season, United had a disappointing run in the Premier League and Champions League but won the FA Cup by stunning derby rivals Manchester City in the summit clash.

Ten Hag has been under scrutiny for his role but new owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have backed the Dutchman.

Speaking to ESPN about his challenges after taking the role, Ten Hag said, “I was never distracted from the mission. I came here two years ago, and this group of players hadn’t won for six years any trophy. I said we are also in a mission and we are here to win and be building and that we knew before us that it will not come overnight. We have to work very hard, and we will have to deal with setbacks during that time.”

Under Ten Hag’s tutelage, United finished the 2022-23 season in the third position in the Premier League and qualified for two finals. But things turned south in the last edition of the Premier League as they finished in eighth place.

He added, “The first season I think was very successful, with two finals. We won one; we lost one — we should have won that one — and we were third. We came far in Europe, and we played over 60 matches. Then last season, there were a lot of setbacks, that was clear. But by the end we got rewarded, because we kept believing and we won an amazing trophy and so we have a foundation. I think in the summer, many positives are there with the new leadership group who will help give us a better foundation, a structure, that will help our team. We have some new coaches in, which gives us, not a better dynamic but a different dynamic — innovations, new ideas, a new dynamic, new energy — and I think then we can make progress to get to the next level.”

Manchester United will take on derby rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup Community Shield final on August 10.