Erik ten Hag issues Manchester United rallying cry as pressure grows on beleaguered manager
Under-fire Erik ten Hag says Manchester United need to “stand up” and work “shoulder by shoulder” to turn around a season that is threatening to go into a tailspin.
Old Trafford is under the spotlight after two 3-0 home humiliations in the space of four days ratcheted up the pressure on a club enduing their worst start to a campaign since 1962-63.
Sunday’s derby defeat at the hands of rivals Manchester City was compounded by Newcastle on Wednesday, who comfortably won the repeat of February’s Carabao Cup final.
It underlined just how far things have gone off track since the sides met at Wembley, with United now having lost eight of their 15 matches in all competitions this term.
“This is not good enough and we know that,” manager Ten Hag said. “We were in the game and then in a couple of minutes we are giving the game away.
“That’s below our standards and we know that all and we have to take responsibility for this.”
Erik ten Hag issues Man Utd rallying cry as pressure grows on beleaguered manager
United have lost eight of their 15 matches in all competitions this season
Manchester United stand by Erik ten Hag – but has he already passed the point of no return?
Manchester United still want to persevere with Erik ten Hag but the club are now at a grimly familiar point where results may take precedence over aims to persist with the manager, reports The Independent’s Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney.
There is already a view from some within Old Trafford that the Dutch coach has that same beaten air that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and David Moyes had in the final weeks of their tenures.
The big question is whether Ten Hag can change results and performances. The big problem is that there has been no sign of how. United have gone beyond regression now.
Manchester United stand by Erik ten Hag – but has he passed the point of no return?
Changes behind the scenes with the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a minority owner could help Ten Hag, but time is running out to turn around fortunes on the pitch
Casemiro ruled out for ‘several weeks’ with hamstring injury
Casemiro has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury that has added to Manchester United’s problems, Richard Jolly reports.
The Brazilian was hurt in the first half of Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle, which came after he missed United’s three previous matches with an ankle problem.
He is now set to miss the rest of United’s November – when they face Fulham, FC Copenhagen, Luton, Everton and Galatasaray.
The 31-year-old, who has not played the full 90 minutes in a match for United since September, could be in a race against time for potentially tough games at the start of December, when United face Newcastle and Chelsea before Bournemouth, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
His absence means loan signing Sofyan Amrabat could get an extended run as Erik ten Hag’s defensive midfielder.
Fulham vs Manchester United: Early team news
Fulham still have some injury issues in defence with Issa Diop, Tosin Adarabioyo and Kenny Tete all out. Joao Palhinha and Willian will be among those who return to the starting line-up after Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Ipswich in the Carabao Cup.
Casemiro has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury picked up in Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle. Raphael Varane is back with the squad but Victor Lindelof is a doubt due to illness, while Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are confirmed absences from the defence.
Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford should return to the line-up after Ten Hag made seven changes for the defeat to Newcastle.
Predicted line-ups:
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha, Reed, Iwobi; Reid, Jiminez, Willian
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon; Amrabat, McTominay, Eriksen; Fernandes, Hojlund, Rashford
Fulham vs Manchester United LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
When is Fulham vs Manchester United?
The match will kick-off at 12:30pm GMT on Saturday 4 November at Craven Cottage, London.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 11am. TNT Sports can also stream the match live on Discovery+.
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Good morning
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Fulham vs Manchester United in the Premier League, with the hosts knowing they have the chance to pile the pressure on Erik ten Hag by ending a 14-year winless run against the visitors.
Fulham have not beaten Manchester United since 2009, losing 14 and drawing three of the games they have played since. But with United having made a woeful start to the season, with five defeats already, Marco Silva’s side have a precious opportunity.
United come into the fixture having suffered two heavy defeats at Old Trafford this week, first being thrashed by Manchester City in the derby before Newcastle ended their Carabao Cup defence in an abject 3-0 loss.
Defeat in the Manchester derby last weekend left United eight points off the top four already and although Ten Hag’s position is considered to be safe for now, the pressure would only increase on the Dutchman should that gap stretch any wider.
Follow all the build-up and latest updates ahead of Fulham vs Manchester United in the day’s early kick-off.
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