Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag devastating 3-1 home defeat to Brighton which leaves him under pressure
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00:00 What was your reaction to the fans who seemed to be booing the decision to take off?
00:06 I think it was positive. You see that the fans on the first moment in Old Trafford and the reception for him was great.
00:15 I think he performed very well. So I think it's good that they gave this signal, this message.
00:24 It will give him belief, Rasmus, but everyone knows he came in with a small issue.
00:32 We built him over the past three or four weeks. He's not ready for a whole game.
00:39 We have many games to play in short notice, so we have to build him also in fitness.
00:46 Can you explain why everyone expected this season to be an improvement on last season,
00:55 and the performances generally have not been as good?
01:01 Can you explain why?
01:04 I think today as well we played well. The first half, if you analyse that first half, it's crazy.
01:11 I think we started well. We created chances. On the second attack from them, and the first chance it's in,
01:20 then we have to do better to deal with that setback.
01:25 Then we find ourselves in the game, we score the equaliser, but then that is disallowed.
01:32 That is the stage we are in at the moment. Then you can point to anyone, you have to look in the mirror,
01:42 look to yourself, you have to make your own look. I think we have to improve.
01:50 The boos weren't necessarily about who was coming off, it was about Anthony Martial.
01:56 Does it get to a point where you can't pick Anthony Martial anymore? He didn't influence the game in any way.
02:03 That was the reaction of the fans?
02:07 I think it was because Rasmus Hoyland came off. I don't want to discuss that, so I don't know.
02:18 But I think Anthony Martial, last year, every time he played, he had a very positive effect on our games.
02:27 I think we even almost lost non-game with Anthony Martial on the pitch.
02:38 If that's the fact, then I don't understand. Because when he is fit, he definitely will contribute.
02:46 In this moment he is not top fit, but he is improving.
02:52 I'm sure when he is 100% fit, he will contribute again, as last season.
02:58 Is that a frustration? He's a 27-year-old and he always seems to have an issue.
03:07 He didn't play often last season, he's got 17 goals in three years.
03:11 It seems unfair to Hoyland that he's the backup striker at the moment,
03:16 that he's not got someone who can take pressure off him.
03:20 Yes, but he has to make his own look.
03:25 First be available, be consistent available, and then you will see.
03:33 Then his form will be better.
03:35 But as I said, every time last year when he was playing, he affected our game in a positive way.
03:43 I hope he stays fit and I'm sure he will contribute to our game.
03:49 Eric, it's three things in four games now. Do you worry about the results?
03:56 Definitely, that is something that bothers me.
04:03 But also I have to see the way we play.
04:07 But finally it's about character.
04:10 Now we have to see how strong we are and how the team sticks together.
04:16 Which players are standing up and show the character and lead the team.
04:22 Because in all the games, especially the games against today, Arsenal and Forest,
04:31 we have seen we can play very good and we can create a lot of chances.
04:36 But there are also some improvements to make, that is definitely the case.
04:41 And we have to step up.
04:43 A lot of money has been spent on that United team.
04:47 You look at Brighton, it's full of free transfers, players that didn't cost much money at all.
04:53 How would you explain that gap?
04:57 I think all the teams spending a lot of money.
05:01 Brighton's team cost less than 20 million, starting with them.
05:06 But I think also Brighton, they spend money as everyone is doing.
05:12 When Man Utd is coming, it inflates the price. That is also the truth.
05:20 Is it a fair description of where you are at the moment? Is 'crisis' a fair description for your team?
05:32 No. But we have to be very disappointed and we have to be very annoyed with ourselves.
05:43 Because at United, the demand is you win games.
05:48 What is your view of the goal that was ruled out?
05:51 Do you feel that the moments when the goals aren't going your way?
05:54 Yes, but that's what I say.
05:57 It looks like we are unfortunate in this moment.
06:03 In the 86th minute, you have to get a penalty against Arsenal.
06:09 You don't get them.
06:10 In the 87th minute, you score 2-1 and you think you're going to win the game and you have nine points.
06:16 Today, you played very well in the first half and then a disallowed goal.
06:22 In that period, we are together.
06:26 Also, we have to return this.
06:28 If we stick together and stick to the plan, stick to the rules and the principles of our way of playing, we will turn this.
06:36 But there is a demand on us, definitely.
06:41 Last question, Simon.
06:43 Just going back to the booing when Hoyland came on, I understand what you're saying.
06:47 It was positive for him, but it didn't feel positive for the stadium, for the team, for the game.
06:52 It felt negative.
06:53 Yes, but if he gets injured because he is not capable to play 90 minutes, then we are much farther away from where we want to go.
07:07 Last question, Simon.
07:08 You're confident you'll be able to show some positivity in Munich?
07:21 Maybe, maybe one player.
07:24 But I think Munich is a little bit too short.
07:28 But I think when we go to Burnley in the week after, I think we'll return players.
07:34 Can you start to respond in Munich as well?
07:39 Absolutely.
07:40 Munich is one of the favourites to win the Champions League.
07:44 So we have to be good there.
07:47 But I think I already explained what we need there.
07:51 We need character.
07:52 So character, belief, resilience, determination.
07:57 Absolutely.
07:58 Thank you very much.
07:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]