Manchester United players 'not happy' as Erik ten Hag fights to save job after Nottingham Forest defeat

Manchester United players 'not happy' as Erik ten Hag fights to save job after Nottingham Forest defeat

WATCH NOW: Erik ten Hag demands improvement from Manchester United

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 31/12/2023

- 08:59

The Dutchman has overseen a nightmare season with things going from bad to worse following their 2-1 defeat on Saturday night

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has admitted his players aren't happy after their 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday night.

The Red Devils went into the fixture on a high after a pulsating 3-2 victory over Aston Villa last time out.


But United, once again, went backwards.

They were poor for the majority of the clash at the City Ground, with goals from Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White giving the home side all three points.

Manchester United Erik ten Hag Nottingham Forest

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is a man under big pressure after Nottingham Forest defeat

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United, for the time being, insist they're sticking with Ten Hag.

But history suggests that, if performances don't improve, the Dutchman will become the latest manager to lose his job at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag, for his part, still believes he's the right man for the job at United.

Yet he's admitted players aren't happy with the current situation, while also blaming injuries for the club's shambolic season so far.

"We haven't played with, in a row, the same team," said the 53-year-old.

"Today, again, we had to change as we lost Rasmus Hojlund.

"Every time, we have to swap our team and that doesn't help support the routines in the team, therefore it's also explainable as to why you are so inconsistent.

"We had also nine different partnerships in the back but I think to blame everything doesn't matter to the fans.

"They don't want to hear this. They want to have us winning and that is what we have to serve them."

He added: "Firstly, players are returning.

"I think we can line up a stronger team.

"We will also have a stronger bench and then you have your opportunities to change them.

"So I'm sure we will be stronger in the new year.

"We are on the same boat, also the players are not happy with this but we have to turn the corner and do better.

"It's because of the injuries and with also some issues but mainly the injuries hold us back in the progress.

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Manchester United Nottingham Forest

Manchester United were flat again during their Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday night

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"We have to turn that around and what is hopeful, in January, our levels can be higher.

"We know the reasons why it's not working. I'm just explaining no team can deal with so many issues and injuries, that we have had.

"We should still have done better and we have depth in the squad but, when you have so many injuries, also the depth is not enough."

Ten Hag also admitted he was disappointed by United and their performances, insisting they must do much better if they're to make the top four.

"It's clear the result is very disappointing, I'm also disappointed by the performance before half-time," he revealed.

Manchester United Erik ten Hag

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag knows results must improve after Nottingham Forest defeat

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"We should have invested more in such moments.

"We created less before half-time and we should invest more there, by quicker play and by movements.

"In the final third, it was not good enough, and we did not invest enough to create chances.

"So the first-half performance was not okay but the second half was better. In bad moments, we conceded the goals.

"In that moment, the game was ours and we went for 2-1, only to concede on the counter.

Manchester United Marcus Rashford

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford scored but it wasn't enough during Nottingham Forest defeat

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"Then we tried and had chances, as well at the end of the game, at the last whistle, with Christian Eriksen.

"So we had our moments but it wasn't good enough to win it. We fought back and went for the win but, on the counter attack, we got hammered.

"That's the explanation of this defeat."

United are next in action against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on January 8.

They last won the competition in 2015, back when Louis van Gaal ruled the roost.

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