On a rainy and windswept Wednesday night, Erik ten Hag touched down on Portugal’s Atlantic coast.
It wasn’t just the weather making things rough for him—his Manchester United side has been struggling, and he’s under immense pressure.
Ten Hag arrived late, two-and-a-half hours behind schedule due to thick fog and poor conditions, a situation that seemed to mirror his current challenges at United.
A Season in Crisis
After a humiliating defeat to Tottenham, the start of the season has quickly spiraled into a full-blown crisis for Ten Hag.
His job is on the line, and he knows it. A win in Thursday’s Europa League game against Porto might not put an end to the mounting speculation, but it would certainly be a step in the right direction.
However, with only one win in his last nine European games, and last week’s disappointing draw with FC Twente still fresh, the task is anything but easy.
Looking Ahead to Villa
The pressure doesn’t ease up after Porto.
On Sunday, United face Aston Villa, and Ten Hag desperately needs to secure a positive result before a two-week international break.
This pause could be the perfect opportunity for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, rumored to be considering changes, to make a move.
For Ten Hag, it feels eerily similar to the pressure he faced back in May, even after lifting the FA Cup.
Ten Hag Stays Defiant
Despite all the rumors and pressure swirling around him, Ten Hag maintains a defiant stance.
Earlier in the day, he gave an interview insisting that there’s no reason to panic.
Upon his arrival in Portugal, despite the delays, he remained bullish.
“As always, when we’re not winning, we’re very disappointed and mad,” he admitted.
“Mad at ourselves, especially after a loss like Sunday.
But from that anger, we need to find motivation for the next game.”
Ten Hag also confirmed that he had discussions with United’s leadership following the Spurs defeat but insisted he doesn’t feel any additional pressure ahead of the clash against Porto.
“It’s not about external pressure,” he said.
“What matters is what happens internally. We’re managing the defeat, nothing more.”
Focus on the Long Term
The Dutch manager also emphasized that he’s in sync with the club’s leadership.
“We’re on a shared journey. We made decisions over the summer—refreshed the staff, brought in young players.
It’s a long-term vision, and we’re committed to it. It’s not about them giving me confidence; we talk every day about how to improve.”
Porto’s Own Struggles
Ten Hag isn’t the only one feeling the heat.
Porto manager Vitor Bruno has his own issues to deal with after a loss to Bodo/Glimt in Norway.
While Bruno acknowledged Ten Hag’s struggles, he wasn’t overly sympathetic.
“In Portugal, if you lose one match, it’s like you’re dead,” Bruno quipped.
He added that while he hasn’t met Ten Hag yet, he would love to.
“I’ve heard people saying he’s coming with a rope around his neck, but underestimating him would be a mistake.
Every club has its problems, but let’s see how things play out.
Ten Hag always wins trophies at the end of the year, doesn’t he?”
What’s Next for Ten Hag?
The next few days could be crucial for Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United.
A strong performance in Porto and a result at Villa Park could buy him some time, but if things don’t go his way, the international break might see a change at Old Trafford.
For now, all eyes are on Portugal, and Ten Hag knows it’s time to weather the storm.
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