Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is confident his team is moving in the right direction, despite Sunday’s humiliating home defeat by Manchester City.
They face Newcastle in round four of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, a repeat of last season’s EFL Cup final, which the Red Devils won 2-0.
The game comes three days after the sobering 3-0 home loss to City.
“There is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves,” said Ten Hag.
“I continue to believe in these players.”
Sunday’s loss against neighbouring City was their fifth Premier League defeat of the season and their seventh in all competitions, and it brought fresh questions about Ten Hag’s management credentials.
While some at United feel their long injury list and current ownership uncertainty are not helping Ten Hag at present, the club has opted to remain silent, believing only positive results can turn the negativity around.
The Dutchman is sure they will come.
Ten Hag said: “At Manchester United, every game involves high stakes. Every single day, there is pressure on everybody involved with this club, but those demands and standards are a challenge that we must always meet head-on.
“While this has not been the start to the season that we had all hoped for, I am certain that we have the talent and attitude as a collective to move in the right direction.
“I believe that it is only a matter of time before we show our true selves. It will come, I am certain.”
United have not lost eight games before the end of November since the 2001–02 campaign. They have not lost eight matches out of their first 15 since 1972–73, which was part of the run that saw Frank O’Farrell get sacked.
