Ten Hag backs Man United fans' 'Play Like You Mean It' banner

Ten Hag backs Man United fans’ ‘Play Like You Mean It’ banner،

Erik ten Hag has backed Manchester United fans who unfurled a ‘Play your way’ banner during the Premier League match at Fulham on Saturday, saying the club’s players can “always be better”.

United won 1-0 at Craven Cottage following a stoppage-time goal from captain Bruno Fernandes. The win came after two successive 3-0 home defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle left Ten Hag under increasing pressure at Old Trafford.

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Despite a dismal start to the season which saw United lose eight games in all competitions, the club’s supporters have directed their frustrations at underperforming players rather than former Ajax manager Ten Hag.

And speaking in Denmark ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League Group A clash with FC Copenhagen, Ten Hag said his players had a duty to meet the standards demanded by the supporters who produced the banner.

“The players have tried hard but there can always be more,” Ten Hag said. “We expect the highest standards at Manchester United when you are a player, staff [member] or manager.

“Our fans expect high standards. They expect you to win every game. And when you don’t play well, you still have to win.”

United face Copenhagen having revived their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 with a 3-2 victory over the Danish champions at Old Trafford following defeats in their opening matches against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.

A win at Parken Stadium, combined with a Galatasaray defeat in Munich on matchday four, would move United into second place ahead of a potentially decisive match against the Turkish champions in Istanbul later this month.

And despite their poor results and performances so far this season, Ten Hag claims United are still capable of being competitive in major competitions.

“We’re not playing well but we’re in a position where we’re not too far away and we can compete for everything,” Ten Hag said.

“I’m happy with that, but we want to play better. That’s absolutely our goal.”