Premier League: Erik ten Hag addresses Manchester United future, says ‘I do not care about it’

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made a bold statement on his future at the club as the pressure continues to mount on the gaffer. Ten Hag, in his second season with United, is struggling to keep pace in the Champions League qualification race while also facing exit in the group stage of the same competition earlier in this season. Gareth Southgate has been linked with the high-profile job and Ten Hag addressed the links in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Brentford game on Friday (Mar 29).

"You know when you are working at Manchester United, there will always be noise and rumours around the club, team, manager, players, there will always be issues," Ten Hag said while addressing the press conference on Friday.

"You [the media] like it to talk about [speculation], but of course, we have different interests, but we are not focusing on that. We are focusing on the process to make the team play better, to improve the way of playing,” Ten Hag added.

"So yes, I do not care about it."

United are facing Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday (Mar 30) and will have to win to keep their remote hopes of Champions League qualification alive. The Red Devils are sixth in the standings with 47 points from 28 matches, a win for them will see the gap between them and fifth-placed Spurs trimmed to three points. As things stand, the Premier League is guaranteed a 70 per cent chance of five spots in the Champions League next season.

A mixed season for Erik ten Hag’s side has seen United reach the semifinal of the FA Cup and is guaranteed a place in the final if they beat Championship outfit Coventry. In the Premier League, they have lost 11 matches and have won 15. United’s 39 goals scored in the Premier League is the sixth lowest, having been outscored by Luton Town who have 42 goals.