Erik ten Hag insists that Manchester United should not be judged too harshly despite their challenging start to the season, following a dramatic late draw with Porto in the Europa League, Soccernet.football reports.
The Dutchman finds himself under pressure after a rollercoaster start to the season with Manchester United. His side’s early struggles continued in Portugal as they squandered a two-goal lead on the night, eventually settling for a job.
Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund put the Red Devils in front thanks to Diogo Costa’s complacency in the Porto goal. However, goals from Pepe and a brace by Samu Omorodion seemed to have completed the comeback for Porto.
United skipper Bruno Fernandes saw red for the second consecutive match, yet Harry Maguire came off the bench to secure a last-gasp equalizer for Ten Hag’s men with the match finishing all square.
This marked United’s second consecutive draw in the competition, with both games seeing them relinquish a lead, leaving them 21st in the standings.
Manchester United are now winless in their last five European matches with a record of three draws and two losses, despite leading by two or more goals in three of them.
Ten Hag is facing mounting pressure, with his team winless in their last four matches across all competitions, but he remains confident that the squad has the ability to turn their fortunes around.
“We will get there,” he told TNT Sports. “Don’t judge us in this moment, judge us at the end of the season.
“We are in the process, we will improve. We have had two seasons where we have reached finals, we will continue and fight.
“You see the spirit and the connection between the staff and the team. The players are together, they have a strong spirit, and they want to achieve.
“We have a good mentality but in some defending parts we have to step up.”
