Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United players to show their character after their defeat to West Ham United in Premier League in their last setback.
Manchester United suffered a second consecutive defeat in Premier League in four days as West Ham followed Brighton & Hove Albion in inflicting a 1-0 defeat on the Red Devils.
Manchester United are aiming for a top-four finish in Premier League this season and they continue to sit fourth despite the defeat to West Ham. But the Old Trafford outfit have fifth-placed Liverpool breathing down their neck.
Manchester United’s defeat to West Ham has blown the top-four race wide open. The Red Devils have 63 points from 34 matches while Liverpool have 62 points from 35 games.
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Erik ten Hag: We have to keep going and we have to show character
Speaking after Manchester United’s defeat to West Ham, Erik ten Hag urged them to keep going and show their character. He said [via GOAL]: “We have to keep going and we have to show character. It is only four games and you need the energy. It is in your head, make sure it is not in your legs. Get ready for the games, clear head, energy, focus, and go.”
Erik ten Hag added: “I said to the players: ‘Don’t feel sorry for ourselves.’ We want to be in the Champions League, the Champions League is our life, and then you have to suffer and you have to sacrifice and, especially, you have to believe.
“As I just said in the dressing room, ‘come on, it [mistakes] can happen, in this season we’ve had some terrible setbacks and every time we bounced back so, once again, show the character and go on’.”
Meanwhile, against West Ham, a howler from David de Gea proved too costly for Manchester United. The Spanish goalkeeper somehow failed to save Said Benrahma’s rather feeble shot in the first half.
Despite the defeat, Manchester United’s top-four destiny remains in their own hands. They have a one-point lead over Liverpool while also having a game in hand over the Merseyside outfit.
Manchester United’s remaining four games in Premier League this season are against Wolves, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham. They will host Wolves at Old Trafford in their next Premier League game.
