Oct 22,2024
Erik ten Hag is relishing his showdown with Jose Mourinho, labelling one of his predecessors as Manchester United boss as "an example for many, many managers".
United head to Istanbul this week to take on Fenerbahce in the Europa League, offering up a reunion with Mourinho, who took charge at the Turkish club in the summer following his sacking by Roma.
The Portuguese is one of the most decorated managers in history and while he proved a divisive figure at United during his tenure from 2016-18, he won three trophies including the Europa League in 2017.
With United drawing their first two fixtures in this season's competition, Ten Hag recognises the significance of the occasion and is looking forward to pitting his wits against Mourinho on Thursday.
"It’s a big game for both of us," Ten Hag said at the Football Writers’ Association Northern Managers Awards dinner.
"I really enjoy facing him and playing against him. He has always good teams, he is a winner – he (has) won so many trophies – I think he is an example for many, many managers."
Despite leading United to FA Cup glory at the end of last season, Ten Hag is again under scrutiny after an indifferent start to this campaign but the Dutchman accepts it comes with the territory.
"It is football, you have to live for now," he said. "(What happened) is in the past, you have to prove (yourself) every day, you have to prove yourself every season so we have to go for it.
"We are in the start of the season and we will see where we end but our target is to win a trophy again."
Some of the pressure on Ten Hag was eased on Saturday as United came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring the winner.
Having shown promise in a stop-start first campaign with United, Hojlund has had an injury-disrupted start to this season and his goal at the weekend was his first in the Premier League since May.
But now Hojlund is inching closer to full fitness, Ten Hag believes the 21-year-old Dane will continue to excel.
"He will always score," Ten Hag added. "What is important is he is keeping fit. He picked up so many injuries in the first season and when he stays fit, he will score goals because that (is) proved (in) his stats."
Hojlund limped off shortly after scoring in July’s Los Angeles friendly against Arsenal, with his hamstring issue sidelining the United striker for nearly two months.
"The injury has been annoying and it was an annoying time to get it, but obviously I feel great now and feel ready to move on," Hojlund said.
"I tried to focus on (the fact) that I’m very privileged to be a professional footballer.
"Obviously, there’s downsides and upsides, and we get critics, but also sometimes we are superstars but all in all, I’m living the dream every day.
"I’m playing for Manchester United and having the number nine on the back for Manchester United. It’s a good life.
"I just tried to focus on that part and then also I could focus on everything else, trying to be even fitter for when I come back, doing my recovery even better. I think I’m in a great spot right now."
Hojlund would not expand on how he went from the number 11 shirt to wear nine in the off season but was more forthcoming about the impact of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who returned to United over the summer as one of Erik ten Hag’s assistants.
"Everybody’s asking me this question," he said of the former United striker’s influence.
"Yes, obviously, he’s helping us every day, but he’s also helping the defence and the midfield.
"He’s a very good assistant coach, but obviously he’s a great striker.
"You’re trying to learn everything about him and all these sort of things.
"I haven’t had that long time to learn from him yet because I haven’t been back for a little more than a month or so. But obviously, he’s given me a lot of good advice."
Hojlund’s only other goal this season came in the 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League, which United return to action in with Thursday’s trip to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
The Red Devils need a win after starting the new-look competition with a pair of draws, while another victory would lift spirits having ended a five-game winless streak in all competitions against Brentford.
"Obviously every time you win and the forwards score goals, it gives a lot of confidence to the team," Hojlund added.
"But in the end, it’s about winning and I think that’s what we need to focus on. I’m very pleased with the three points."
