“I have just been informed about their Latest decision on my career… Anyway, I’m wishing the Club, staffs and lovely fans the best in future”: Erik ten Hag sends a heartfelt message to Man United fans adter being informed about the latest decision on his future
Erik ten Hag spoke before the game about it being painful to hurt something you love.
But in the end it was his old club FC Twente who ended up hurting their former player and coach, the Dutch side the latest team to expose Manchester United’s underlying fragility. United looked to be heading towards a victorious start to their Europa League campaign, courtesy of Christian Eriksen’s stunning first-half strike.
But the wheels came off for United after the break, with Sam Lammers stunning Old Trafford with a superbly-taken equaliser in the 68th minute, to pile further pressure on Ten Hag.
After a goalless draw at Crystal Palace at the weekend, Ten Hag needed a convincing and victorious start to United’s Europa League campaign, against opponents fourth in the Eredivisie.
But it never materialised, with Ten Hag left to rue another slack performance from his United side, which has already put them at a disadvantage in the opening stage, ahead of next week’s visit to Porto.
Ten Hag spoke before the game of the emotional difficulty of facing the club he grew up supporting and where he spent 23 years as a player and coach. The United boss made more than 250 appearances for Twente and helped them win the Dutch Cup in 2001, before retiring the following year, aged 32, and embarking on his new career as a coach.
Had he not been in the home dugout at Old Trafford, Ten Hag would more than likely have been amongst the ebullient and vocal 3,500 away fans who made the trip from the east of Holland to Manchester.
