Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag admits 'I need to win' ahead of Southampton clash

Erik ten Hag has admitted that to keep the faith of the Manchester United hierarchy and remain in his job he must start securing victories – starting at Southampton this weekend.

United’s new CEO Omar Berrada expressed firm support for Ten Hag despite the club’s recent losses leaving them 14th in the Premier League table.

With United set to face Southampton in Saturday’s early kick-off, the stakes are high for Ten Hag, who feels the heat already just three matches in.

Berrada was confident enough to publicly declare Ten Hag has the “full backing” of United’s decision-makers, but the Dutchman himself admits winning is essential to retain that encouragement.

“In football you have to win, you have to deliver, that’s clear,” Ten Hag said.

“It’s good that the new leadership acknowledges this and says this. We are working together to be more successful and we have higher targets than we’ve already achieved.”

Two years into his tenure at United, Ten Hag has presided over an enormous £600million expenditure on new players, with nearly £200m invested this summer alone.

Yet, despite the heavy spending, United struggle to attain the level of consistency needed to vie for a top-four spot, having ended the last season eighth – their worst in the history of the Premier League.

Highlighting his successes with the League Cup and FA Cup, Ten Hag believes his trophies are indicators that the club is on the correct path as he noted the ongoing transitional phase both on and off the pitch.

“It’s not only to do with me,” Ten Hag remarked. “Nobody can deny in these last eight or nine months a lot has happened to this club.

“There’s a new leadership team, a new structure and ownership structure, a new leadership team – a huge turnaround, I would say.

“But we have to win all the games and that will always be the approach. It doesn’t change for any game.”