He did it last week, in the build-up to the game with Liverpool, and he did it in the aftermath when it was probably the last thing supporters wanted to hear. So regularly has he pointed to this record that it might be worth putting such bold claims to one side for a while.
"In the last two years we won, behind City, the most trophies in English football," Ten Hag said on Friday. "That is the reality. They are the facts."
There is no disputing those facts and it's clear that the Carabao Cup win in his first season and the FA Cup win in his second is proof enough for Ten Hag that he is on the right track. To him, those successes are stronger evidence of progress than a Premier League record of 16 defeats in 41 games and an eightplace finish last season.
You won't be surprised to hear that is a contrast to his predecessor as permanent manager at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn't get his team over the line to win a trophy, but his two full seasons in charge at United produced league finishes of third and second.
"Sometimes the trophy can hide other things that are happening at the club. It's in the league positions that you see whether you're progressing," Solskjaer said in March 2021.
Esta historia es de la edición September 05, 2024 de Manchester Evening News.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 05, 2024 de Manchester Evening News.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
New boss meets with key staff as Ruud departs club
RUBEN Amorim met key United staff at Carrington yesterday afternoon as he began work as the club's new head coach.
There's plenty on Amorim's Reds to-do list
RUBEN Amorim breezed into Carrington around 2.30pm yesterday and immediately got to work as United's new head coach.
'I like Ten Hag, but it's over now with him'
AS Matthijs de Ligt sought a fresh start this summer, he was attracted by the idea of a reunion with the coach who gave him the platform to launch his career and made him captain of Ajax while still in his teens.
Big slump has made Liverpool my title tip
WITH City dominating domestic affairs until relatively recently you have to go back many years since Liverpool were favourites at Betfred for the Premier League title.
City 'skippers' must pitch in to stop slide
THERE was a moment at Brighton when Joao Pedro had outpaced Kyle Walker and got a shot away in a dangerous position.
Injured Rodri and other reasons for Blues' poor run
THE absence of Rodri is once again in the spotlight as City's losing run extends to four games, the worst of Pep Guardiola's managerial career.
Pep has keen eye on Jack and England
THEY'RE dropping like flies at City. Manu Akanji and, out of nowhere, Matheus Nunes are the latest to withdraw from international duty with injuries.
Firms facing 'terrible choices' after Budget
HOSPITALITY and retail businesses have said they have \"terrible choices to make\" about potential cuts to investment and their workforces due to Budget tax rises.
Strongest position sought for Ukraine moving into winter
SIR Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron discussed putting Ukraine in the \"strongest possible position going into winter\" as they met amid uncertainty over the future of US backing for Kyiv.
Former soldier confesses to prison escape
FORMER soldier Daniel Khalife has pleaded guilty partway through his trial to escaping from prison.
