MANCHESTER United manager Erik ten Hag believes his side can still advance to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League despite their woeful form in the competition this season.
The three-time champions are bottom of their group after losing three of their first four matches, including at home to Galatasaray and away to FC Copenhagen.
Manchester United face Galatasaray tomorrow night in Istanbul needing to beat their hosts and then defeat leaders Bayern Munich afterwards at Old Trafford to stand any chance.
Ten Hag has urged his players to keep calm despite the pressure of their situation and the intense atmosphere they will face in Istanbul.
“You can always fight,” Ten Hag said during his pre-match press conference today.
“Last year, we couldn’t win away from home. It was an issue. This year we can’t win at home. We are confident. We know how to deal with it and we will be confident on the pitch.”
United have had players sent off in each of their last two defeats to Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen, and Ten Hag expects his players to show more discipline tomorrow.
“You have to stay calm in your head and don’t get too emotional. Don’t give them anything, or the referee as well,” the Dutchman added.
“You have to stay away from such moments. We know how to deal with it. We will make a good plan but at the end of the day the players decide. They have to play the game.”
Despite their poor European form, Manchester United have seen a resurgence in the Premier League with five wins out of their last six games.
“We have improved,” Ten Hag noted. “We have made good progress and we are more stable and are winning games.
“There is a big difference in us from the first moment we played them.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has dismissed criticism of his leadership.
The Portugal midfielder became the club’s captain this season but there have been calls for the armband to be taken off him for his on-field behaviour.
“It’s normal to be criticised at Man United. You just have to deal with that,” he said during the press conference.
“When I first arrived, it was all flowers. But when performances aren’t what people expect them to be, [expectations] are always higher and higher.
“Not keeping the same numbers of goals or assists – there’s always going to be something.
“The way I am has been the same since I arrived at the club. It’s not changed with me being the captain. Everyone here is pretty happy with my leadership.”
