ERIK TEN HAG has been given the full backing of Manchester United’s new management team.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth made clear their long-term support for the Dutchman shortly before Sunday’s 3-0 home thumping by Liverpool.
And Berrada emphasised Ten Hag will have it even if there is a run of poor results.
Berrada, 46, said: “Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely. We think Erik is the right coach for us and we’re fully backing him.”
Ten Hag narrowly avoided the sack in the summer after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final — and had a contract extension until 2026 triggered.
That decision was made by United’s new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford after they had explored other options.
Berrada and Ashworth then took up their positions and were also happy for Ten Hag to continue.
Berrada — who was poached from crosstown rivals City — added: “In terms of the contract, that was a decision that was taken prior to both of our arrivals.
“But we’re very happy with that decision.
“Erik has our full backing and we have worked very closely together in this transfer window.
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“We’re going to continue working very closely to help him get the best results out of the team.”
Former Newcastle sporting director Ashworth works closer to Ten Hag than anyone in the new management structure.
He has the next-door office at United’s Carrington HQ and is very much on the same page as the 54-year-old.
Ashworth, 53, said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Erik for the last eight weeks.
“My job is to support him in every way I can whether that’s operationally with recruitment, whether that’s medical, with psychology, or training ground flow.
“It’s to take as much of that off him to allow him to fully focus on the training pitch and the match plan to deliver success.”
Berrada and Ashworth front the football structure at Old Trafford, which also includes former Blackburn Prem title winner Jason Wilcox, 53, as technical director.
Sunday’s defeat was United’s second on the bounce following their 2-1 loss at Brighton.
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Tom Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
