Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said his team must improve standards when they face Arsenal on Sunday, September 3, 2023, at the Emirates.

Ten Hag’s midfield has come under constant criticism, but the manager countered such criticism by saying the problem has been with the team generally and not a single unit.

Exposed midfield?

Firstly, he points to the past record. “When we play with Casemiro, Eriksen, and Bruno, we are very successful,” he argues. He is right, too. United have picked up 42 points from 17 Premier League games since that trio started together – title-winning form.

Secondly, he makes the case in strong terms that his midfield has been exposed because of the failings of those behind and in front. “It was absolutely a team problem. We analysed and showed the team where the problem was.

“It had to be done from the back by squeezing. It had to come from the front by late responding or not responding. Act as a team. Not every player matched the standards that they are supposed to do. We worked a lot in the last two weeks on that factor,” he explained.

Standards

Ten Hag insisted that their standards must improve given that they are facing a quality team like Arsenal.

“We have to improve. Especially when you face Arsenal, who have such a quality team. When you are not in the right organisation, you will get problems. We have to avoid such problems by doing the right stuff. We have to demand more from the players.

“We have to match high standards in those moments in games. It is about the front not matching those standards, as well as the back. When you do not match the standards in the rules, we have a problem. Every team would have a problem,” he added.

Standards and rules. They are watchwords for Ten Hag, concepts that he returns to again and again, the principles upon which his work is built. Overhauling this squad has been a challenge fraught with difficulty and littered with situations requiring careful management.