Erik ten Hag has called managing Manchester United a "hell of a job" - as he aims to avenge his team's opening day loss to Brighton.
United take on Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, eight months after the Seagulls won at Old Trafford on the opening day of the Premier League campaign. That was Ten Hag's first competitive game in charge of United.
Ahead of Sunday afternoon's game, Ten Hag has reflected on that 2-1 loss to Brighton. "After we faced Brighton on opening day, I admitted being manager of this club is a hell of a job," wrote the Dutchman in his programme notes for the FA Cup semi-final.
"Eight months later I stand by that. Not because I do not enjoy it. But because everybody works under huge pressure to meet highest expectations."
Ten Hag believes his team have improved significantly since their home defeat to Brighton. United responded to that setback by suffering a humiliating 4-0 loss to Brentford in Ten Hag's second game in charge, but their form has picked up since.
United are fourth in the Premier League table and look set to qualify for the Champions League, as they are six points ahead of Tottenham in fourth with two games in hand. They are also level on points with Newcastle in third with a game in hand.
Do you think Manchester United will beat Brighton? Let us know in the comments below!
Speaking of Newcastle, Ten Hag's side defeated them 2-0 in February's Carabao Cup final to end a six-year trophy drought. Marcus Rashford scored in that game, with the England international finding the net 28 times in all competitions this season.
Having said that, United need to improve even more if they want to challenge for the Premier League title. They have suffered some embarrassing defeats this season, with Liverpool beating them 7-0 and Manchester City scoring six goals in a 6-3 result.
United were also dumped out of the Europa League by Sevilla on Thursday night after conceding three goals in Spain. Sevilla are 13th in the LaLiga table.
Ten Hag told reporters in a press conference on Friday: "Well, I hope that everyone sees that [improvement]. What I heard from many of your other experts and fans [is] that we have made progress and that we developed, yeah. So, we are a different team now and I think, as I said, we made progress.
"But also, we have to face we have steps to go, that is quite clear, and I can speak after Seville, it’s quite clear, but also some other games. No other team always plays at the highest level, I know, but then even if you don’t play at the highest level you still have to win, and that is what we have to learn.
"And how we deal also with the setbacks in a game, and that we have to carry on, we have to stick to the plan, we have to stick to the game and you have to keep the confidence so, yeah, we have steps to go."
