Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was seen out enjoying a dinner out in Altrincham on New Year’s Eve with his family as he looked to put the club’s worrying form behind him.
The Dutchman is under fire at Old Trafford after United suffered their ninth defeat of the season already in a drab 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
But Ten Hag took some time away from the growing pressure he is facing at United by enjoying a night out at restaurant The Con Club with his family.
The Con Club serves a range of food including steaks, duck breast, yakatori beef and fish, with main course dishes costing between £18 and £28.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag took time off from the club’s turbulent season with an evening out in Altrincham on New Year’s Eve
The Dutchman was in good spirits as he stood outside The Con Club with his family
Ten Hag is facing rising pressure on his position after his side suffered a ninth defeat of the season at Nottingham Forest
Ten Hag wore a flat cap with a black bomber jacket, black trousers and black trainers as he was seen stood outside for a brief period, chatting to his group after leaving the restaurant at around 7pm.
Having some down-time from the intense season at Man United will have been gratefully received by Ten Hag after a run of just one win in their last five matches.
The loss to Forest at the City Ground was their fourth defeat this month, with United now seventh in the Premier League table, 11 points off league leaders Liverpool – despite hopes they could challenge for the title.
United have already been beaten on 14 occasions in all competitions this season and are out of the Champions League having finished bottom of a group containing Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Ten Hag has had to contend with plenty of set-backs and difficulties this season, including off-the-field distractions surrounding Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and Antony as well as the protracted strategic review, which lasted 13 months before Sir Jim Ratcliffe took a 25 per cent stake in the club for £1.3bn.
Ten Hag has remained upbeat over United’s season despite their miserable recent form
But despite the difficulties he has faced this season, Ten Hag has remained upbeat about United’s predicament, claiming his side ‘overperformed’ last season and that they will improve in January.
‘It’s below our standards but we know the reasons. In January, players will return,’ he said. ‘We are looking forward to that and then our squad and team will be stronger. They know when I have a squad that is available, then the results will be there.
‘We overperformed last year and this year, we are underperforming. We have to do better. We know the reasons why it is not working. No team can deal with so many issues and injuries we have had.
‘We should still have done better and we have depth in the squad, but when you have so many injuries, the depth is not enough.
‘They (the owners) know that when I have a squad available, the results will be there. I believe that (things will improve), especially when players return. Every time you swap (players), the routines are not there.
‘We went for the win and it was one counter-attack where we didn’t defend but what I saw in the second half was a team. It was good to see. I saw some decent football.’
United have suffered 35 injuries to first-team players so far this campaign, with Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount among those to have missed large parts of the season.
