Erik ten Hag focused only on ‘two very important games’ not Man Utd future

Erik ten Hag brushed aside potential distractions with the under-fire Manchester United manager’s full focus on ending a poor season with two victories.

The Dutchman’s position is under intense scrutiny as a promising first campaign in which the Red Devils won the Carabao Cup has been followed by a season with almost as many disappointments as injuries.

It means United head to Brighton this weekend in danger of setting the club’s lowest finish and points tally in the Premier League era, while also missing out on European qualification through the league.

But Ten Hag is not thinking about that, the past or beyond next weekend as he looks to win on the south coast in their final league game and then triumph in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Asked what he needs to change moving forward for United to reach their potential, he said: “I know, it’s in the back of my head,

“My focus is we have 10 days, two very important games, so now the focus is on the two games.”

Pushed on the future for United, Ten Hag said: “As I say, I look at the two games. That’s important.

“Other issues will only distract us. We know what we are building on, and we have to keep this process going.

“But at the same time, we have to win games, two very important games, and so all the focus for me, from the team, has to be on those two games.”

That mindset led Ten Hag to sidestep a question about what he had learned about himself this season, saying “all the energy” is on their final matches rather than “reflection”.

It also gave the United boss an excuse not to expand on his recent comments that he knew what was behind the injuries that have caused so much damage to his team this term.

“I know but I don’t share this,” Ten Hag said. “It’s not for now. It’s also not important because we can’t change this. The coming 10 days, it’s about those two games.”

United have been beset by problems this term but were boosted by the return of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Newcastle.

Departing Raphael Varane and fellow centre-back Victor Lindelof have also trained ahead of the trip to Brighton, who have won all three league meetings against United during Ten Hag’s reign.

“Most important is our game,” said the United boss, who oversaw a penalty shootout win against Albion in last season’s FA Cup semi-final meeting.

“Of course, it’s a typical style of play, Brighton. I admire it. The way they approach the game, it’s a real challenge, so we’re really looking forward (to it).

“But it’s up to us. It’s up to us to get the right plan, to get the right execution, so to prepare the team in the best way we can, and then it’s about the players to get the win.”