Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who joined Old Trafford from AFC Ajax in the summer, has admitted the pressure of getting the club back inside the top four of the Premier League due to the major investments that they have done during the transfer window.
The Dutchman has openly admitted to feeling pressurised to getting the club back inside the top four of the Premier League at any cost, especially after the investment that went into rebuilding the team during this summer transfer window.
The Manchester United top brass spent more than 200 million on transfer targets this summer and in order to get Ten Hag the players he desired. Two of those players, Lisandro Martinez and Antony, came from Ten Hag’s former club Ajax whereas United also signed Casemiro from Real Madrid and Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord ahead of the current campaign.
Despite the pressure on him, ten Hag says that he accepts it for what it is. He also mentioned that there are other clubs in the Premier League as well who spent heavily this summer, and there are similar expectations on their managers to get the job done and secure a top-four finish.
“I accept how it is, I accept that pressure. But also for the manager of Chelsea and of Newcastle United, those clubs who have invested a lot in their squad. It is big pressure for all of us to get into the top four. We want to be in the top four and fighting for trophies that is our aim.”
Just over a week since the World Cup final was played between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, United will restart their Premier League campaign against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
It still remains to be seen whether Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will take part in that game. While Varane started for France and ended up on the losing side, Martinez was an unused substitute for Argentina but saw his side lifting their third World Cup title.
“I cannot answer that question now. He is still celebrating in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, he is on the tour going around in Buenos Aires.
“I can understand that, it is very emotional, very loaded when you win the World Cup (and bring it) into your country, it is magnificent. But Licha Martinez also has to accept that on the 27th the Premier League will go on,”
ten Hag said of Martinez’s availability.
