Erik ten Hag responded to Jose Mourinho’s remarks, refuting claims that he receives more support at Manchester United than Mourinho did during his tenure at the club.
Mourinho implied that Ten Hag has had greater backing in the transfer market than he did during his time at Old Trafford.
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However, Ten Hag fired back by claiming that Mourinho is the only manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era to “get the players they wanted.”
“Apart from Mourinho, the manager didn’t get the players they wanted, and that is what you need,” Ten Hag said in an interview with ESPN Brasil.
“I am confident we will achieve our goals, but it is a tough competition. It is not a two-horse race anymore.
“There are seven, eight [teams in the Premier League] who all go for the title, who all have very good squads. So if you want to go to the title, you have to construct that squad.”
At 54, Ten Hag’s future at United is uncertain after a disappointing second season.
Despite having a year left on his contract, new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe hasn’t provided any formal assurances regarding his managerial role beyond the summer.
While Ten Hag has pursued players like Frenkie de Jong and Harry Kane previously, the club’s focus on younger talents like Rasmus Højlund suggests the need for patience as he aims to steer the team in the right direction.
“You need outstanding players,” Ten Hag said. “Otherwise, you are in a process and you have to be patient. That is where we are now. We went for players who have high potentials, and we have to develop them, as individuals and as a team. But you need patience with the process.”
