Exclusive: Erik ten Hag reveals how Manchester United can 'really hurt' opponents in rest of Premier League season

Erik ten Hag insists that Manchester United “have to win every game" but stressed the importance of being "realistic" as he looks ahead to a tricky trip to West Ham in Saturday’s early kick-off in the Premier League.

In a game shown live on TNT Sports, The Red Devils will be hoping to build on last weekend’s point secured at Anfield where United held then league leaders Liverpool to a spirited goalless draw.

The result left Ten Hag’s side in seventh place in the table - a point and two places above David Moyes’ Hammers.

United have endured an indifferent season so far, having been knocked out of Europe after finishing bottom of their UEFA Champions League group.

They have suffered 12 losses in all competitions and defeat to their hosts at the London Stadium would cut them further adrift of the top six.

Asked if his ambitions for the club at the start of the season have now changed, Ten Hag told TNT Sports: “We want to win every competition we are in, but we have to be realistic in this moment. So, we have to win every game as Man United and we are aiming for that.

“We are striving for a number of games to win and then we will see where we will finish.”

United have not won in their previous three matches but a draw at Anfield was seen as a step in the right direction, although Ten Hag did not want to label it a “turning point” in the season.

“I think we performed very good, especially defending as a team,” Ten Hag said.

“I think we had a good press. We defended in the final third, the box and the goal very well. That part of the game was very good, and I think we were a little bit better on the ball.

“We could have created more chances and the one time we did I think we brought them out of their comfort zone. But we could have hurt them even more than we did.

“You saw the strong character of this team. They are composed, they were totally in control of the game over the 95 minutes, so I was very pleased with the performance.”

He added: “I don’t want to call this a turning point, but I think it will strengthen the confidence in the team, that they are competitive against the bigger teams, against – at that moment – the leaders of the Premier League.

“If you take that and get a little bit more improvement in possession, I think we can really hurt opponents.”

Ten Hag’s squad has been stretched to the limit at times this season and on Saturday he will be without defenders Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, as well as Casemiro and Mason Mount.

Lisandro Martinez remains on the sidelines due to a metatarsal injury, while Diogo Dalot is suspended having been sent off late on at Anfield.

Ten Hag has admitted that the squad will be in a “much better place” when injured players begin to return, but the Dutchman dismissed suggestions that United could benefit from being eliminated from Europe following the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.

“It is definitely not a help. Manchester United should be in Europe all the time after winter but it’s not the case. Now we have to deal with it,” he said.

“In some perspective it can be helpful because it will give our players who are returning from injury more time and also to recover in between games. So, in that case it can be helpful, but we like to play and we get energy from playing and now we have to fill it in a different way.”

Switching focus to Saturday’s 12.30pm (UK time) kick-off, Ten Hag insisted that United needed to be at their best to overcome West Ham.

David Moyes’ side suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Liverpool in a quarter-final EFL Cup exit in midweek, but they have European football to look forward to in the New Year after finishing top of their UEFA Europa League group, and Ten Hag is aware of their qualities.

Asked how his side would approach the game, Ten Hag said: “As always. They are doing very good and are only one point behind us. They are doing a great job so I can see why they are so high in the table, so we have to play our best game and find a way to win there.

“It’s all about us and how we play against them.

“They are threats, they are absolutely weapons. But I don’t worry about it, we have to challenge them and give them problems.”

Ten Hag has nothing but praise and respect for his opposite number Moyes, who led The Hammers to their first European trophy since 1965 with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in June.

“I think he is doing a great job over decades. He has had many trips, a really experienced manager and we can see that his strategies are fabulous," he said.

“I really admire him and the work that he has done over so many years because to stay at the top for so many years, you must be a big personality and a big strategist in football.”

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West Ham v Manchester United will be live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate with coverage from 11:00 on Saturday, December 9 ahead of kick off at 12:30.

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