Erik ten Hag has issued a warning to Manchester United's transfer targets by saying it is easier to play for 'almost any other team'.
The odd message came as Donny van de Beek ended his Old Trafford misery by securing a loan to German club Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Dutch midfielder, who cost United £35million when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed him from Ajax in September 2020, struggled to get much game time and was plagued by injuries.
Van de Beek started just six Premier League games for United and missed the second half of last season with a serious knee injury after a loan spell at Everton in 2022.
He was an integral part of Ten Hag's successful Ajax side a few years back but now needs to resurrect his career in the Bundesliga.
That also applies to Jadon Sancho, the £73m United winger who is closing in on a loan move to Borussia Dortmund after falling out with Ten Hag.
Asked about whether players should think twice before moving to United, Ten Hag said: 'That is always on those players and how much confidence you have in your capabilities.
'But I can tell you one thing - the Premier League is tough. Man United, that is tough to play there because it's more easy to play in almost any other team than Man United because the pressure is that high always.
'You have to deal with that. But if you have that confidence in yourself, this is the best challenge and this is definitely the best club you want to be at as a player.
'It depends on player to player, and it depends especially on the character of the player, their personality.'
Talking more specifically about Van de Beek, the United boss added: 'From the first moment I can in here at Manchester United, he wasn't the player he was at Ajax because he was injured.
'So many times he was not available and then he struggled for a long time to recover from that injury.
'That is probably the main reason why he was not playing. We decided for a loan in the summer but it didn't come and then his opportunities are few because also we make appointments and we make agreements with players and contract players in that position. The competition was high.'
United, who head to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup third round on Monday night, aren't expected to spend too much money during the January window because of Financial Fair Play constraints.
However, there have been suggestions they may look to sign another striker on loan to offer back-up for £72m summer arrival Rasmus Hojlund.
Bayern Munich players Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Thomas Muller have been linked, though another player in the frame, Timo Werner of RB Leipzig, is heading to Tottenham.
A more long-term target may be Stuttgart's in-form forward Serhou Guirassy.
blackBeed
0
Just look at player we have right now and we are defeating all the time why bro.No ETH must leave I tell you
it can't always be the coach tho. Newcastle, Westham, Villa and Brighton were fairing very well without all the spending. we've spent the most since Fergy left and we haven't won squat.
BasilJunior
0
Lets get club legend Rooney to replace ETH
No man we can't get Rooney he'll lead us to championship instead of glory no way I'd rather stay with ETH
ziuaprstyz
3
Just look at player we have right now and we are defeating all the time why bro.No ETH must leave I tell you
cizceikruy
0
see who's talking
it's you
cizceikruy
0
They are planning to bring in big gun legend… Rooney! All teams gotta beware.
Big empty Gun 🤣🤣
tecikmnsz
1
Lets get club legend Rooney to replace ETH
He will relegate the team. Look like you are not a true fan of Man utd
Pahbcdrsuy
3
Ten hag doesn’t know what he’s saying good players can play for any club he’s just trying to deflect the fact that he’s a useless coach
Pecelrtuz
3
He really thinks that playing fr united is hard than any other club, Birmingham should sign him u want to see something
Ovieski
2
What an Irony of life.. Before ETH came to Old Trafford, Manchester united team was very difficult to play against but after ETH came on board Manchester United team became very Difficult & hard to play for 😭😭😭😭
tanelm
0
Nonsense, you are the useless coach, good players came and you finished them
They are planning to bring in big gun legend… Rooney! All teams gotta beware.
tanelm
1
Lets get club legend Rooney to replace ETH
Suhdelnru
0
Nonsense, you are the useless coach, good players came and you finished them
see who's talking
cizceikruy
3
Nonsense, you are the useless coach, good players came and you finished them
rupanrstyz
2
am still hanging waiting for ten hag to buy players, before 10 United fans hung themselves ooo
rupanrstyz
2
rumours have started. just buy once and for all. you're finishing my datas
Andriansalvatore909
0
i really don't ETH is favoriting any player ,but man UTD fans will always be impatient. I remember when he was playing Rashford week in week out,but later benched him,he did with Antony too,Martial started a couple of matches were his rating was below 5,bro you can hate the manger all you want because some of you are yet to heal when he sent your goat 🐐 packing from UTD. Onana can't be benched because he is our number 1,you don't even train with them ,so how would you know if the second keeper is up to UTD standard ? If Onana get dropped while trying to build his confidence then we should be ready to sign another keeper soon because I don't think Ten hag trust the second keeper . Be patient with the manager ,with the level of players we have at the club right now Ten hag is doing better than Arteta and pochettino.
I really don't think ETH*
Andriansalvatore909
5
i really don't ETH is favoriting any player ,but man UTD fans will always be impatient. I remember when he was playing Rashford week in week out,but later benched him,he did with Antony too,Martial started a couple of matches were his rating was below 5,bro you can hate the manger all you want because some of you are yet to heal when he sent your goat 🐐 packing from UTD. Onana can't be benched because he is our number 1,you don't even train with them ,so how would you know if the second keeper is up to UTD standard ? If Onana get dropped while trying to build his confidence then we should be ready to sign another keeper soon because I don't think Ten hag trust the second keeper . Be patient with the manager ,with the level of players we have at the club right now Ten hag is doing better than Arteta and pochettino.
rehaekorty
1
get karim benzema for 1 year with possibility to extend.
Australia7853904
2
We wouldn’t want to lose against Wigan after ETH’s words on here about how great and hard to play for at Manchester United it is. He did forget to mention about how hard it was to get play time which is hard unless you are on ETH’s list of pets. Look at Martial who has scored and never got time unless he needed him during injuries and now Mctominay who has scored when none of his pets couldn’t. Also our stand in Keeper hasn’t played yet but is pet continues to let goals through. How does he survive at ManU and do we have to look at another clean out when players don’t agree with him and another argument happens.
chris_lamboo
2
My Nigerian Neighbors, I just want to say congratulations for trashing unknown Abu Dhabi team 😃😃 12 :0 even the coach and the staffs received it too
Yeubimnrtu
2
If talking much was an accolade then you're the goat in it no doubt in that
He talks too much really?? But if he doesn’t we’ll still complain… Before sancho saga,he has been covering all this lazy players but no positive sign,check out rashford and others. But when he talks he talks too much,but he doesn’t he’s letting the team down!!E sweet for us to say,like we know what he’s facing back door
rupdemopru
0
ETH. this is the only team u will end up building with MAN U
[image]
We like it that way he is not man u problem
kayapeople
0
ETH. this is the only team u will end up building with MAN U
rafaeljoel
2
If talking much was an accolade then you're the goat in it no doubt in that