Erik ten Hag acknowledged he had received advice not to take on the “impossible job” of managing Manchester United, but he acknowledged he was unable to turn down the challenge at Old Trafford.

The club’s six-year trophy drought was ended last season by the Dutchman, who left Ajax to take over at United in 2022, but he has faced tremendous pressure in his second season.

United eased some of the pressure on their embattled manager on Wednesday by defeating Chelsea 2-1 at home, but they have now lost 10 of their 22 games this season across all competitions.

Ten Hag revealed to the fanzine “United We Stand” that he was informed of the difficulty of turning around the 20-time English champion.

“Everyone was telling me ‘You can’t succeed in that job’,” said the 53-year-old. “They said it was impossible. Me? I wanted the challenge.”

United finished third in the Premier League in 2022–2023 and defeated Newcastle in the League Cup final in February.

However, they have already lost the League Cup this season, are nine points behind Arsenal in the Premier League, and will likely have to make an embarrassing group stage exit from the Champions League.

Six managers have attempted and failed to return United to the pinnacle of English football since Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013: David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Ralf Rangnick.

“I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but it was such a great club with such a great fanbase,” said Ten Hag.

“People love Man Utd, or they are against Man Utd. I like clubs like this. Ajax was like this.”

After rumours of division in the United players’ dressing room surfaced earlier this week, the Dutchman expressed confidence in his ability to maintain the support of his teammates.

In the coming days, United is anticipated to reveal that British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is purchasing a 25 percent share in the team; however, the transaction might not have a significant effect on the club’s spending in the January transfer window.

“I don’t think we will spend a lot,” said Ten Hag.

“As a club, you have to look for improvements, so if you can find better and it’s realistic financially and with financial fair play, the club has to go with it.

“But most of the time you don’t attract the best players in the winter.”

Photo by EPA/PETER POWELL