Erik ten Hag has criticised his Manchester United side after their poor start to the season and urged them to 'step up' ahead of their Champions League trip to Bayern Munich.
United suffered a damaging 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday that continued their difficult run, with Ten Hag's side picking up just six points from their first five Premier League games.
Their poor performances have been coupled with off-field problems at the club which means wingers Antony and Jadon Sancho are not currently available to Ten Hag.
United open their Champions League campaign this evening when they face the German champions in Munich and the Dutchman issued a rallying cry to his stars ahead of kick off.
'We are living in small margins, and so we have to stay calm, but at the same time, we have to step up because this is not good enough,' Ten Hag told TNT Sports.
'We have to step up. We already showed in many parts of games we are a great team, but we have to do it consistently.
'This is our chance. We have to prove that if we want to be successful this season, we have to be more consistent.'
Bayern have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the campaign after being boosted by the £100m acquisition of Harry Kane from Tottenham over the summer.
The England captain was previously a target for United and has netted four times in four matches for the German giants.
However, Ten Hag insisted Thomas Tuchel's side pose plenty of other threats aside from Kane.
He added: 'It's always great to play against Harry Kane but we don't only play against Harry Kane.
'We play against a good side, Bayern Munich. They have very good players. We also have very good players.'
The game on Wednesday evening renews the historic rivalry between the clubs after several epic encounter over the years, including the 1999 Champions League final when United won the Treble after scoring two injury-time goals.
This season sees United return to Europe's elite club competition after a one-year absence and the Dutchman insisted the famous clash between the two sides 24 years ago still lives on in the memories of his current squad.
'I remember 1999. I never forget,' said Ten Hag. 'Everyone gets a lot of energy from it and I think the players also do too.
'When the players face Bayern Munich, managers don't have to say anything. Players are hugely motivated.'
waeaclnpsy
1
he must sign in De Gea please,
MadaniAbass
0
Exactly
Saebcimpy
0
You are true 10Hag.... Utd players not good enough yet to play in this ucL....
Sebastianvansterth
0
Manchester United players look fatigue in soccer fild
pucainoprz
1
CR7 told you
pucainoprz
1
It's you not players Please just leave the club
cuzdeiklru
0
glazers and their scouting department know nothing about football and good . That's why they scout uselessly and buy players
Juhcdorsu
1
Erik need to blame him self for not being unite the team,he need to strip off some responsibility from Bruno,like free kick when Erickson on the pitch and allow rashford to take penalty and he Bruno remain as captain
cuzdeiklru
0
Bitter truth
Setaciksyz
0
The player are not good enough, listen ten hang are you not the coach who is doing the job, you are already sacked
josklnrsty
0
sack him to than will follow united again
josklnrsty
0
sack him immediately
Gannymalta
0
The players can break, they can get injured.... but they are not good enough for ETH
Catabckr
2
the truth is Erik has problem too you try to take Sancho off the team like the way you did to Ronaldo you blame the player but you need to blame your self
meziegoody
1
this man is very stupid 🤬 and should be sacked right now
Limalnosy
0
Erik ten hag is useless manager ever of manchester united..kick him out yeah🤔😄😄
hezbdopty
1
You mean are not good enough.
ClemJay
0
We do know this, Just do your best and turn around the clubs reputation for the better through better performances
Chandrayaan04
1
Yes he's right and please someone tell him he's not good enough too
Vedclnsty
3
not concerned the fans about the coach complained, the purpose of signing him is to make them play well, he should stop having problem with player, if not he will sack himself, you allowed Greenwood leave, no Anthony and you have issues with Sancho, now you are starting Pellestril again Bayern Munich in Champion league.
SUKHENDEBNATH
0
then what r u doing there?
Kitbmnrtu
0
I hope and pray Bayern will not score more than 5 goals otherwise Eth will look the way out
brianbadman
1
Uniteds problems
AmoGmanchester
0
Today's best line up for Manchester united
[image]
Casemiro no
zimikmopz
0
This man will lose his job soon, accusing players of not been at their best instead of trying to motivate them to be better doesn’t work too well with previous managers that tried the same thing
You didn't catch him well he is correct
M_Subsay
6
Today's best line up for Manchester united
ishti
5
Why do all these writers always belittle the brilliance of Brighton. They make it look like ManUtd have lost to a third tear team. Come on, Brighton was brilliant and they are a brilliant team. Give them credit where it's due. Utd didn't just lose, Brighton beat them fair and square. It was not a fluke either, they have beaten them four times in a row. Please write positive things about them rather than make it look like utd lost it on purpose.
ZizoArmani10
0
This man will lose his job soon, accusing players of not been at their best instead of trying to motivate them to be better doesn’t work too well with previous managers that tried the same thing
Mesonmillz
1
how can we win with a selfish player like rashford and the absence of Antony and Sancho..
Yiceikmouz
4
please the person who wrote this article try to be real sometimes not turning Truth into lies,we all know that man utd is not doing well currently,,so what went wrong for Eric ten hag to tell his players the truth,,, in shot Eric ten didn't criticize his players he told them the truth,,,not that he has criticize please be real for once...🙄🙄
old_traford
0
this is not news
Fitcenpuy
0
bench rashford e can't score against big clubs
Fehaelru
0
problem of Manchester united is Ten hag finally finally you go
Fitcenpuy
0
bench rashford
ShehuTutu
1
You're not a good teacher. A good teacher is always motivates his students even if they are not performing as expected. You're discouraging them. Then how do you get their best with your attitude?
Dedbisty
0
Man-U needs a mature captain. Man -U need to have a different captain. Hernandez tend to point fingers at his teammates and unable to have the team rally around each other.
EmmanuelKingAsamoa
1
if Carlo Ancelotti coached Man Utd like we will be better or Antonio Conte
Lizabceks
0
ten hag ur the problem
Stickle
0
Ten Hag is the last person to tell his players they are not good enough. We have been telling them that for weeks!
luhemopsty
3
Through thick and thin, ETH is my man. These lazy ass players have been so used to pampering from managers that they think it's their right. But they'll learn they're paid to deliver results and enjoy their football. Enjoyment only comes with winning. Get that stupid clown called Sancho out of my club.
Jeremykyan1
2
I like Erik's tough love towards the players