Erik ten Hag makes outrageous claim, says Man Utd fans booing Anthony Martial is a positive

Erik ten Hag believes that the fans booing Rasmus Hojlund's substitution is a positive and will motivate the player.

Erik ten Hag makes outrageous claim, says Man Utd fans booing Anthony Martial is a positive

Anthony Martial, Rasmus Hojlund, Erik ten Hag (Source: via PA)

Erik ten Hag has stated that the boos Anthony Martial faced were a positive reaction in his eyes. The Manchester United head coach believes that the reaction is positive due to its effect on Rasmus Hojlund. The club were beaten handily on Saturday, September 17th, by De Zerbi’s Brighton and Hove Albion.

In a game where the result was as shocking as Man Utd’s performance, the fans did not have much to cheer for after the first goal. Hannibal Mejbri’s goal lifted the dead crowd’s atmosphere momentarily before the final whistle. However, that was not the loudest Old Trafford was on that day. In the 64th minute of the game, Rasmus Hojlund was substituted for Anthony Martial, which led to the crowd being livid.

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Erik ten Hag addressed this moment in the post-match interview. He believed that fans booing would motivate Rasmus. It was clear that his departure from the pitch was met with disgruntlement. “It’s good they give this signal, this message, it will give Rasmus belief,” ten Hag believes.

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The 20-year-old put the ball in the back of the net, which was later ruled out by VAR. Erik also spoke about the reception Anthony received when he was brought on. “When he is fit he will definitely contribute. At this moment, he is not top fit,” he said of the Frenchman, whose contract runs out next summer.

Erik ten Hag ended the interview, stating that he is concerned that the team is creating chances but not able to convert on the. “We have to be disappointed and annoyed because at United the demand is you win games,” he ended. Manchester United will face Bayern Munich next. Erik ten Hag will return to the team where he was assistant manager for Pep Guardiola.

Related: Eric Ten Hag insists Man United is not in ‘any crisis’ despite a humiliating loss to Brighton 

Erik ten Hag losing the Manchester United crowd?

The ’23/24 season is underway, and Manchester United fans have already written off the top 3. After poor results in the first five games of the season, fans are unable to pinpoint a single game where they believed that they played well. Erik ten Hag was appointed by United last season specifically to avoid such situations where the fans no longer question the playing identity of the club. With the new season in full swing, questions have arisen.

Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag’s season has not started as intended (Source: via PA Wire)

Many fans are confused with Erik ten Hag’s tactics. Man Utd conceded 43 goals in the Premier League last season. With 10 already conceded in 5 games, United are already 23% of the way there. They also struggled to score a lot of goals last season, finishing 7th in the league for goals scored.

Their low scoring was acceptable, as they won many of their games with clean sheets, shutting out 17 games last season. However, this season, their lack of goals is being punished, as the club now finds itself in 13th place.

Erik ten Hag is still Manchester United’s manager, but there is a noticeable shift in opinion among some United fans. With fans singing “Viva Ronaldo” in their latest game, some fans have made their opinions public.

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