Erik ten Hag reveals ideal Man Utd squad size
- Ten Hag has discussed how Man Utd's performances can improve moving forward
- The manager has previously stated that Man Utd can't play the free-flowing football Ajax played under his management
- Man Utd face off against Kobenhavn on Wednesday evening
Erik ten Hag has said that Man Utd need a "stable starting XI" and two consistent bench options in order to improve their performances.
After a successful first season in charge of Man Utd in which they won the Carabao Cup, Erik ten Hag's second season in charge has proved to be rather disappointing thus far. The Red Devils have already lost eight games in all competitions, and the generally poor performances have led to many questioning the tactics Ten Hag is currently adopting.
Speaking previously about this critique, Ten Hag bit back to insist that the club don't have the players to play the free-flowing style he utilised during a hugely successful tenure at Ajax.
Following on from those comments, Ten Hag has discussed how Man Utd's performances can improve moving forward, stating that having stability and fewer injury concerns will hugely benefit the team.
"What we have to work on is a stable starting XI, at least with 12 or 13 players, then the routines will be better and more chances will be coming," he said.
"Getting more to starting XI, 12, 13 players, you can rotate so you get routines in the team. In this season so far, left-back and right forward position, we have to change a lot and then you swap the team, you don't get the routines in, also the midfield balance is not there.
"But I'm sure once we get there we will play better, we will improve our game, the performance will be better and form there on. I'm happy with the points we get so far. We don't play well but in a position where we are not too far away and in a position where we can compete for everything.
"Happy with that but we want to play better. That's absolutely our target."
Ten Hag's side will face Kobenhavn in arguably their most important game of the season so far in Denmark on Wednesday evening. Having lost their first two games in the UEFA Champions League - to Galatasaray and Bayern Munich - Man Utd are hoping to take six points from their two encounters with Kobenhavn to give them a chance of qualification for the round of 16.
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