Breaking News: Erik ten Hag gives spiky Man United response as his selection policy is set for ultimate test

The main Manchester United morning headlines for Thursday, October 3 are summarized here.

Manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United speaks during a press conference during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference (Image: 2024 Manchester United FC)

This evening, when Manchester United plays Porto in the Europa League, Erik ten Hag is getting ready for one of the biggest games of his managerial career.

United knows they need to turn around their disappointing season opener in order to ease the mounting pressure on their manager as they go to Portugal.

In addition, they must win their first game of the Europa League after FC Twente held them to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home the previous week.

Ten Hag’s standing has already been questioned this season due to his low point total in the Premier League—just seven out of a potential eighteen points.

Although Manchester Evening News is aware that his job is secure for the time being, this is a crucial week for him because he has two away games against Porto and Aston Villa, where performances and results must improve.

Here is a summary of the early-morning news before United’s match at the Estadio o Dragao.

Samuel Luckhurst, our chief Manchester United writer, has reported on Ten Hag’s pre-match news conference in Porto. He has detailed the one and only instance during his media briefing where the United manager raised his voice in defense of his job.

He noted, “Ten Hag was usually phlegmatic.”

“No, he didn’t need the powerful people to give him more confidence. He was “mad” and would use that energy to have the team playing better.

“We made that agreement in the summer, we had the discussion, we had the review, we made our decisions, we refreshed and reset the staff, and I appointed my assistants, I appointed the staff, it was a common process but I did this,” he said, raising his voice only once when reflecting on the summer review.

“The purposeful amplification of the “I” was likely done to muffle the commotion surrounding Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is currently vying for the manager’s chair on bookmakers’ chalkboards. That noise is not going to go away.”

The selections made for the match against Porto will test Manchester United’s policy.
Following two straight 3-0 home demolitions in the Premier League and three games without a victory, Manchester United travels to Portugal today to play Porto in their second Europa League match.

After United’s dull draw with Twente, their mood deteriorated further four days later when they lost 3-0 to Tottenham. This season, United has won three of its nine games. Those victories—a late victory against Fulham, defeating the worst-equipped squad in the league and a League One team—have drawn attention in the past.

Since Cristiano Ronaldo scored one of the team’s finest goals in Europe in 2009, Porto has not hosted United. United advanced to the Champions League semifinals as a result.

Manchester United’s starting lineup against Porto was anticipated, with Bruno Fernandes calling the shots.
Ten Hag should start strong when he selects his starting lineup since a victory over Porto would undoubtedly help, even though it wouldn’t cure all of his issues. Tonight, Onana is expected to start in goal for United, with Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lisandro Martinez lining up in front of him.

Manuel Ugarte needs time to get used to life at the club, as Ten Hag has often mentioned. This is another ideal chance to give him a start alongside Kobbie Mainoo. The latter was substituted out of the game before the half in Sunday’s devastating loss to Tottenham, but on Wednesday, he was spotted practicing.

The No. 10 position can be started by Bruno Fernandes. Even though his three-game penalty for a red card against Spurs had not been overturned, the captain would have been able to play tonight. However, the announcement that his ban has been lifted could be the boost he needs to get his season off to a great start.

Alejandro Garnacho may start up front on the right, while Marcus Rashford will try to continue his comeback from injury on the left. Rasmus Hojlund may get a chance to start for United again as they look to address their problems at the top of the pitch. Joshua Zirkzee hasn’t scored since his goal against Fulham on his debut.