United moving in ‘right direction’ despite Fulham loss – Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United are moving in the “right direction” and the “bigger picture looks very good” – despite losing 2-1 at home to Fulham.

Marco Silva’s side handed United a deserved eighth home defeat in all competitions this season, with Alex Iwobi’s dramatic 97th-minute winner snatching all three points.

United were insipid in attack for long periods at Old Trafford, with Rasmus Hojlund injured and Omari Forson handed a first senior start in place of Antony – the £86m winger who was again named on the bench.

It was the hosts’ first defeat since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in the club was approved and came with INEOS’s Sir Dave Brailsford watching from the stands.

The result – and the nature of the performance – raise further questions of Ten Hag, whose side are sixth in the Premier League, eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

But the manager remained positive in his post-match press conference, saying: “You have to see the bigger picture and the bigger picture looks very good.”

READ ALSO: Liverpool’s Salah, Nunez in contention for Carabao Cup final

As well as Hojlund, United lost Casemiro to a head injury against Fulham, while Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are also currently sidelined – something Ten Hag believes is a factor in their underperformance this season.

“We have to catch up in many positions. We have to recover the injuries, then we will be more balanced,” Ten Hag said.

“We have to also strengthen the squad in the transfer window. Many good players are coming up with really high potential.

“Definitely we are in the right direction. When we have the players available, we have a very good team.”