Ten Hag warns United targets they must be able to cope with unique pressure
Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United are the best club in the world to play for – but only if you have the confidence to cope with the pressure. Recent high-profile signings have been unable to live up to expectations but the manager does not feel that will deter potential targets.
Ten Hag was asked whether Donny van de Beek’s struggles would put off players as he prepared for Monday’s game at Wigan in the FA Cup, which provides United’s only realistic hope of a trophy this season after exiting the Carabao Cup and Champions League.
“That is always on those players and the confidence you have in your capabilities,” Ten Hag said. “I can tell you one thing: the Premier League is tough, Manchester United is tough to play there because it is easier to play in almost any other team than Manchester United because the pressure is always high – you have to deal with that.
“If you have confidence in yourself, then this is the best challenge. This is the best club you want to be at as a player. That depends from player to player, especially it depends on the character and personality of the player.”
Wigan are 18th in League One and defeat would be a new low for United, making it a crucial match amid an inconsistent run. “It is a cup game, so it is do or die – I like it,” Ten Hag said. “We have had this situation before this season; we have to be ready for this game. We have to make sure we get ready for the game because we will face an opponent that is 100% and will give even more than 100%. Every opponent is going more than 100% against Manchester United, especially this team.”
Ten Hag will have André Onana available after the goalkeeper delayed his trip to the Africa Cup of Nations. The Cameroonian has played every minute this season, leaving Altay Bayindir to wait on the bench for a chance, despite Onana’s underwhelming form. Tom Heaton completes the set of first-team goalkeepers.
“At some point, André will go,” Ten Hag said. “We are totally happy; we constructed this group of goalkeepers because we are completely comfortable with this. We have confidence in them both, they are both very good goalkeepers, both experienced at the highest levels, so I think we can have a lot of belief that we have cover and not only cover, there is real competition between them three.”