Erik ten Hag has insisted he does not view Wednesday’s game with Newcastle United as a final goodbye, remaining confident that his future lies at Old Trafford beyond this season.
The Manchester United manager had previously confirmed that players and staff will take part in a lap of appreciation after full-time, but it seems that Ten Hag will not be using it for any farewells.
Newcastle’s visit will mark the Red Devils’ final home game of the 2023/24 season, during which they will try and claw back some dignity to prevent their worst ever Premier League finish – currently seventh from the first season after Sir Alex Ferguson’s 2013 retirement.
Some fans have longed called for Ten Hag, who has one more year left on the contract he signed in 2022, to be sacked. Various managers have emerged as potential candidates to replace him. However, no announcement has been made regarding his future, leaving the boss publicly confident.
Speaking ahead of United’s penultimate game of the season, Ten Hag said: “Goodbye? For me? It’s not how I feel it and how I see it.
“It’s not the way I go to start that lap of honour for the fans, no. Through good times and bad times we are together and the fans show it; that we are together. So we will do a lap of honour.
“In the stadium, away and home, they [the fans] are always backing the team and backing me. Also when I’m in the streets, many, many come to me, maybe it is just polite, but I don’t feel it like this.
“I almost never get a negative reaction because the fans understand where we are. The fans understand this club is in a transition and the fans understand the huge problems we’ve had to face and especially positions in key areas.”
The latest candidate to emerge as a potential successor to the Dutchman was Brentford boss Thomas Frank. However, he has since confirmed that his wish is to remain with the Bees, unless an extraordinary offer were to arise.
United will play their final game of the season on Sunday, when they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion.
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