Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has told his players it is time to “step up” after back-to-back defeats.
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The Dutchman accepts Man Utd “has to win every game” ahead of Saturday’s trip to Southampton and knows the pressure has increased after losses against Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool.
“Of course, when we see the scores, nobody is happy,” he said when asked about reports that full-back Diogo Dalot had expressed his frustration at Man Utd’s start.
“But the players have a very good sense of the process. We are in a good position, but we have to improve and we have to step up.
"I have said before, we are still in a transition period. We have to integrate a lot of young players in the team and still have to deal with injuries and bring players back into the team.
"Before anyone thinks about excuses, no - we have to win every game. I know that. The team knows that. It doesn't matter who is available.”
Ten Hag hinted that new signing Manuel Ugarte could be in line for his debut but confirmed the match at St Mary’s comes too soon for injured forward Rasmus Hojlund and left-back Luke Shaw.
See: Latest Premier League injuries
He said the outside "noise" such as comments from former Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo that the club would not win the league do not bother him, and backed his team to get back on track against a Saints side who have yet to claim their first point of the new season.
"It doesn't impact me," he said. "I know where we are in the process and what we have to do and where we are going.
"We will see where we are in May. It is very early in the season and it is about winning trophies, being as high as possible in the league and doing everything to win every game.”
