Ten Hag Admits Manchester United Lacks Depth Against Premier League Competitors

Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United lacks the squad depth compared to other top Premier League clubs. The Dutch manager's team ended last season in eighth place, their lowest finish in the league. Despite this, they secured European football for the 2024-25 season by defeating Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final.

Ten Hag highlighted the injury issues that plagued United last season, particularly in defence. "Last season, we constantly had injuries to players in the same positions, all at the back. At one point, we had almost no defenders available," he told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

He acknowledged that when he started at United, they hadn't won a trophy for six years. "When we started here, United hadn't won a trophy for six years, and it really wasn't because they didn't have good managers here. It does say something about the composition and quality of the player group," Ten Hag said.

The manager extended his contract until 2026 despite rumours of his departure from Old Trafford. He admits that United is still undergoing a rebuilding phase. "We were and still are in that process [of building]. If you compare our squad with other top clubs in the Premier League, we certainly have a bit less in terms of depth," he noted.

This lack of depth made it challenging to cope with injuries. "That is exactly why we found it so difficult to deal with those injuries," Ten Hag added.

FA Cup Final Reflection

Reflecting on the FA Cup final against City, Ten Hag admitted that many expected his tenure to end if United lost. However, he remains unfazed about job security. "Let's face it: you lose too many matches, it just takes strength to keep the team focused and motivated every time," he said.

Ten Hag stressed the importance of maintaining belief within the team during tough times. "The most important thing of all was to convey that belief to my team. I had to be careful that the entire environment did not become negative in advance," he explained.

Job Security and Future

The manager understands the pressures of leading a club like Manchester United. "If United's management find someone tomorrow who they think is better, then I'll go. It's that simple," Ten Hag stated. He respects these mechanisms in football and knows winning is crucial at such a high-profile club.

Despite challenges, Ten Hag remains committed to improving Manchester United's squad and performance as they prepare for another competitive season ahead.