Erik ten Hag assumed responsibility for Manchester United’s dismal performance in a 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace, acknowledging the need for improvement while expressing confidence in his ability to lead the team forward.
Palace’s comprehensive victory marked their first-ever league double over United, with goals from Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Tyrick Mitchell.
The defeat leaves United in eighth place, jeopardizing their Premier League standing and European qualification prospects for next season. Ten Hag’s leadership is under scrutiny amid ongoing structural changes at Old Trafford since Jim Ratcliffe’s investment earlier this year.
“It’s clear and it’s obvious this is under-performing,” said Ten Hag. “We didn’t act how we want to do it and this is by far not good enough.”
Despite injuries limiting his options, Ten Hag remains committed to preparing the team and accepting accountability for their shortcomings.
“If we have the right players available we have a good squad but we miss almost the whole back-line and then we have problems.
“I will keep fighting and I prepared the team in the best way I could do. It was not good enough, by far not good enough, so I have to take the responsibility for that but I will find the energy and I will prepare them for Sunday.”
United faces a tough test against title-contenders Arsenal, aiming to salvage their season with a top-seven finish or FA Cup success. However, recent humiliating defeats and defensive vulnerabilities highlight the challenges facing Ten Hag.
The appointment of new personnel, including technical director Jason Wilcox and potential sporting director Dan Ashworth, reflects efforts to reverse the club’s decline under Ratcliffe’s INEOS group.
