Ten Hag Downplays Brentford Win Amid Job Speculation

MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United recently secured a much-needed 2-1 victory over Brentford, marking their first win in over a month. This victory comes at a time when speculation surrounding manager Erik ten Hag's future has been rampant. Despite the win, Ten Hag emphasized that it holds no more importance than any other match result.

In the match, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund found the back of the net, helping United recover after initially conceding a goal. This win allowed the team to rise to 11th place in the Premier League standings. Just a day prior, Ten Hag dismissed rumors about his job security, labeling them as media "fairytales and lies." When asked if this victory could be a turning point for the season, Ten Hag responded firmly, stating, "No, it is just a win. The pressure is always there. We have to win every game."

He further elaborated, saying, "Every game we win is important. This team, you see the togetherness, a fighting spirit. Today we had some determination to score goals, and that's what we need. Today we scored two brilliant goals and we are very pleased with it." This statement reflects Ten Hag's belief in the team's potential and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset.

Interestingly, before this match, Manchester United was tied with Crystal Palace for the fewest goals scored in the league this season, with only five goals. Ten Hag attributed this lack of scoring to a poor start to the season. He stated, "This team has the capacity to score very good goals. Today the two goals we scored were high quality and when you score and win you add confidence." This highlights the critical role that confidence plays in a team's performance.

Ten Hag also praised Marcus Rashford, who has faced criticism from fans but delivered an impressive performance, including a precise cross that set up Garnacho's goal. "Really enjoyed how he played, you see what he's capable of, a lot," Ten Hag remarked. He expressed a desire for Rashford to maintain this level of intensity and skill in every match, emphasizing that a strong fighting spirit is essential for the team to compete for trophies.

While the victory over Brentford is a step in the right direction for Manchester United, Ten Hag's insistence that it is just one win underscores the ongoing challenges the team faces. The manager's focus on building confidence and maintaining a fighting spirit will be crucial as they aim to improve their performance in the coming matches. Fans will be watching closely to see if this win can indeed serve as a foundation for a more successful season ahead.