Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has criticized fans for having “no sense of reality” as the club faces an 11-year Premier League title drought. Speaking on the day of United’s FA Cup final against Manchester City, the Dutchman addressed the intense pressure and speculations surrounding his potential sacking after two seasons in charge.
Despite leading the team to their worst-ever Premier League finish in eighth place, Ten Hag expressed frustration over the high expectations. “Manchester United won the league for the last time in 2013, 11 years ago,” he told Dutch outlet VI. “But still, they expect us to win every game while competing at the top. This club is not ready for that.”
Ten Hag emphasized the ongoing rebuilding process and the challenges of meeting the fans’ lofty standards. “We were supposed to start building something and we made the first steps last year, but then you find out how big this club is and that nobody is ever satisfied,” he said. “Within the club, people were satisfied, but outside the club, there was noise by saying I won only the Carabao Cup, lost the FA Cup Final, and became 3rd.”
With European football next season hinging on Saturday’s outcome, Ten Hag’s comments highlight the tension and high stakes surrounding Manchester United’s current situation.
