Erik ten Hag warns Man Utd stars over 'problem' ahead of crunch Tottenham clash

Erik ten Hag has sent a clear message to his Manchester United side as they prepare to welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils have endured a slow start up to this point currently in the bottom half having picked up just seven points, just goal difference behind Tottenham.

With another summer of big spending, Ten Hag is already coming under real pressure despite having penned a new contract over the summer. There will be pressure aplenty on both United and Tottenham this Sunday with both teams heading into the clash needing to improve significantly on their early season performances.

And ahead of the clash, Ten Hag has warned his players that they need to step up and score more goals, with Rasmus Hojlund expected to return from injury. “Not scoring goals, not scoring goals enough,” he said, as cited by The Mirror. “That’s the problem, the key area. We have to score more goals as a team. I think we have players across the team who have the ability to score. That’s clear. You see all the opportunities we are creating, we are not scoring enough.”

Asked about his side’s inconsistencies, Ten Hag added: “I think you have to assess the situation. Still we are working, we are in progress. We have to sign players. We also made a choice to sign very young players. Like last year (Rasmus) Hojlund, like this year (Joshua) Zirkzee and Leny Yoro – players we believe in them in this moment but also for the future. We have to build them.

“When I started we spoke about more, we have to make a switch there in the dressing room and I think we turned a corner. Now we have to work with the squad and that takes time and of course I am also – it’s not a good behaviour from me – impatient and I want to go straight forward. But also, to be fair, we had success in the last two seasons and we have to work very hard to bring another success.”

Ten Hag responds to player criticism

Joshua Zirkzee has not had an ideal start to his United career having arrived on a £36.5million deal in the summer, scoring only once in the Premier League. Asked if he can become prolific, Ten Hag responded: “Yes I do (think so). Sure, he is young. We see his great abilities. He is a very good link-up player, as you say, he is creative.

“He is creating chances but be fair, also he has his moments towards the goal from the opposition. I think it was a great action he had [against FC Twente] and a great finish he had, top save from the keeper but in that area he can definitely improve. We know he has some very good attributes, and he has to improve, and he needs our support on how to improve.”

Bruno Fernandes has also been called out by some amid a sluggish start. "I think the team brings him in a situation," Ten Hag added. "I think he is capable, I think he has proven this so many years already in the Premier League that he can create many chances and I am convinced he will not do differently this season. He will come on this point and find his form, he will make final passes and score goals, 100%. And it's just a matter of time."