‘What more can I do’ to win over Manchester United fans, asks Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag believes there is little more he can do to win over the Manchester United fans and highlighted his trophy haul as evidence of his success at Old Trafford.

United head into this afternoon’s Premier League clash with rivals Liverpool on three points from two games following another summer of heavy investment in the playing squad.

And Ten Hag is confident they are heading in the right direction after claiming two trophies since he took over in 2022.

“In the last two years we won, behind [Manchester] City, the most trophies in English football,” said Ten Hag, who led United to the EFL Cup in 2023 and last season’s FA Cup in which they enjoyed a surprise win over City in the final.

“That is the reality. They are the facts.

“This year we want to win. We want to win trophies. I am quite confident we will do that.”

Despite Ten Hag’s bullishness, United don’t appear any closer to challenging for the Premier League title and could only manage an eighth-placed finish last season – the club’s worst since 1990.

UNITE. FIGHT.#MUFC || #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/tr1lJ1tsP2

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 1, 2024

The Dutchman, however, feels he has proved himself and is now targeting further success.

He added: “I had to build this club. We brought young players in and progressed them. We won trophies. What more can I do?

“As far as I know, the fans are happy with me, but I don’t care if I get the credit or not. It’s not about me. It’s about Man United.

“We are very ambitious: the club, the leadership, the team definitely. Everyone.

“You can see the potential. Now we have to work very hard to achieve our targets.”

This afternoon’s clash at Old Trafford will see Ten Hag come up against his countryman Arne Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp over the summer.