Ten Hag dismisses sack speculation as fairy tales

Under-fire Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said on Oct 18 that media speculation over his job in recent weeks has been baseless, adding that the internal atmosphere at the English Premier League club has been quiet.

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Ten Hag has been under the microscope for several months, with United finishing eighth in the league last season and currently languishing in 14th place on eight points with two wins from seven games – their worst start to a campaign since 1989-90.

“The noises came from the media, some of you, not all of you. Some of you are coming up with stories, creating stories, creating fairy tales, bringing noise, bringing lies,” ten Hag told reporters ahead of the Oct 19 visit of Brentford.

“I know we are all one page at this club. I’ve said this before the break to some journalists, who probably didn’t believe me as I saw the reports. Internally at the club, it’s quiet.”

Brentford manager Thomas Frank agreed that ten Hag has endured “too much” criticism.