Ten Hag: I'm a fighter and see this as a challenge

Erik ten Hag says he is a “fighter” and that he remains confident he can reverse Manchester United's fortunes after Newcastle United knocked the holders out of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

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It has been a difficult start to the season for Man Utd, who travel to Fulham in Saturday's early kick-off lying eighth in the table on 15 points, 11 behind Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

See: Newcastle beat holders Man Utd to reach EFL Cup quarter-finals

Ten Hag, however, is in defiant mood.

“I take responsibility for it, I see it as a challenge,” he said after the 3-0 home defeat to Newcastle, United's eighth loss from 15 matches to confirm their worst start to a season since 1962/63.

“I’m a fighter and I’m in a fight and I have to make sure that I share responsibility with my players, and that we stick together and fight together and get better results.

“I understand that when the results are not there, that this is also a logical process that they question [the manager].

“But I’m confident I can do it. At all my clubs I have done it, and also last year I did it here as well. But in this moment, we are in a bad place.

“We have to do things right and at a certain level, at a minimum level, to win games.” 

Ten Hag's task has been made tougher by an injury to midfielder Casemiro, who missed Sunday's 3-0 derby defeat by Manchester City, returned to captain United against Newcastle in the EFL Cup but was replaced at half-time.

“Just before half-time, he got an injury. That’s why we had to take him off,” explained Ten Hag. “We have to wait 24 hours, but I think definitely for Saturday, he is out.” 

Arteta takes blame

Mikel Arteta has taken the blame after Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham United in the EFL Cup, saying he is “disappointed” with himself.

The Arsenal manager made six changes to his starting XI and said his side have to use the pain of defeat to produce a better result when they visit Newcastle in the Premier League this Saturday.

“First of all, there's disappointment with myself,” Arteta said on the club’s official website.

“Because obviously I wanted the team to play in a very different way and we haven't managed to do that.

“And every time that you lose a game, the pain is there and we have to use this pain for Saturday [against Newcastle], that's for sure.

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“I'm very disappointed. Obviously I'm responsible for that. We are out of the cup and we wanted to play a very different game, and especially we wanted to compete in a game like this, which we discussed for 48 hours, in a very different way to what we've done."

There was also some worrying injury news for Emile Smith Rowe, who was not involved in Arsenal’s squad last night.

“He's got an injury in his knee and he's going to be out for weeks,” said Arteta.

An incredible night for Newcastle

In contrast to Ten Hag and Arteta, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had a hugely enjoyable night in the EFL Cup, as Newcastle secured only their second ever win at Old Trafford since 1972.

“It’s been an unbelievable night for us in so many different ways,” Howe told the club’s official website. “The players' unity, spirit and quality to win that game, and not just win it, but in the manner that we did.

“I’m so pleased with everybody [because] we were tested today with injuries and of course we got one right at the start of the game again, poor Matt [Targett]. That’s probably the only negative of the night.”

It was also a special night for Sean Longstaff, who was given the captain's armband on his 150th Newcastle appearance.

“I just felt he deserved it," said Howe. "I thought long and hard about the decision because that’s a huge thing to wear the armband for Newcastle [and] it should never be underestimated. It’s an absolute honour and a privilege, and with it comes a weight.

“But Sean’s acted unbelievably since I’ve been at the football club but he’s also led and starting to lead, and it was almost a recognition of that and I think he is a leader for the here and now, and for the future. But really it’s down to his conduct and how he approaches the game.”

Klopp heaps praise on Quansah

In stormy conditions last night, Liverpool overcame AFC Bournemouth 2-1 thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez.

But it was another player who caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp, as he hailed 20-year-old centre-back Jarell Quansah.

“He was really good. In these circumstances, wow,” Klopp told the club's official website. “So many difficult balls to judge, to estimate, where is it coming down? He did really well.

“On the ball, Caoimhin [Kelleher] thought, 'Give him the ball quite a lot and let's see what he can do.' He did really well there. Yes, top game, absolutely.”

EFL Cup quarter-final draw
Everton v Fulham
Chelsea v Newcastle
Port Vale v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v West Ham

Ties to be played w/c 18 December

EFL Cup semi-final (first leg) - w/c 8 January 2024
EFL Cup semi-final (second leg) - w/c 21 January 2024
EFL Cup final - Sunday 25 February 2024