Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United will be able to win at Bayern Munich this midweek – but they will have to be at their best.
Ten Hag was speaking after Saturday’s humbling home defeat to Brighton which brought United’s third Premier League defeat of the campaign after just five matches. All three of their losses have come by a two-goal margin.
While it would be premature to claim that United are in crisis at such an early juncture in the season, they are desperate to turn the tide quickly but face one of European football’s toughest tests next as they travel to Munich on Wednesday night.
United are back in the Champions League for the first time in two seasons having missed out last term, while they and Bayern will be favorites to advance through to the Round of 16 in a group that also contains Turkish giants Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen of Denmark.
Yet their European adventure gets off to the toughest possible starting with a trip to Bayern, who will be among the favorites to win the competition this term. They fell at the quarter-final stage last term to Manchester City.
However, with Thomas Tuchel now having enjoyed a full pre-season with his team and the addition of several players this summer including Harry Kane and Kim Min-jae, they will be prove a huge test for Ten Hag’s side – who goes into the game as clear underdogs.
“Bayern Munich I think is one of the favorites to win the Champions League so we have to be good there,” Ten Hag – who used to coach Bayern’s reserve side – told United club media on Saturday, before outlining what qualities United must show. “But I think I have already explained what we need there – we need character, belief, resilience, determination, absolutely.”
Ten Hag was also asked about the club’s injury situation with a host of first-team players unavailable for selection including Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat. “Maybe, maybe one player, but I think Munich is a little bit too short,” Ten Hag added. “But I think, when we go to Burnley next week, I think the players will return, yes.”
United will follow up their game in Munich with a trip to Burnley on Saturday night before a double-header at home to Crystal Palace, in the EFL Cup and Premier League, before facing Galatasaray at Old Trafford.