'This team always has the right spirit' - Erik Ten Hag says he can still motivate Manchester United despite Arsenal loss

Erik ten Hag insists he can still motivate Manchester United's players despite suffering a 1-0 defeat against title-chasing Arsenal.

Leandro Trossard's 17th goal of the season was the difference at a soaking-wet Old Trafford, but the Dutchman was pleased to see his side improve following a disastrous 4-0 loss against Crystal Palace on Monday. 

The result leaves United in eighth, three points behind Newcastle and Chelsea, with a place in Europe on the line in their remaining games. 

Ten Hag believes he can still motivate United's squad ahead of their last two matches of the Premier League season, and an FA Cup final against Manchester City. 

He said: "I have no doubt about this [that he can motivate his players] because as I say, maybe at Palace, but I think they are human beings. 

"From my experience, that will always happen once in three months, you do not have the right attitude. 

"On Monday, we had such a night, but mostly this team always has the right spirit, and they always execute the rules and the principles of the game and how we want them to play. 

"I can only be happy, I think the ones who played executed with all that they could, they were competitive and they were fighting and then you can see the result." 

The pressure on Ten Hag is growing ahead of United's final three matches of the season against Newcastle, Brighton and City. 

An injury crisis has ripped through the Dutchman's squad, with midfielder Casemiro deployed at centre-back again against the Gunners. 

However, Ten Hag was quick to defend the Brazilian international. 

"It is a midfielder playing out of position," he said. "Making small mistakes, but they have hard consequences.

"For a United player, every game is a final, we have to win and perform every game. We should realise this." 

Despite a difficult season, Manchester United's fans were in fine voice at Selhurst Park and Old Trafford, and they were not afraid to back Ten Hag. 

He believes that the club's supporters can see his side are showing the right spirit, even if results are not going their way. 

"I think the fans understand this, where we are, where this club is," he added.

"We have so many injuries, especially in key areas, and they don't get what they deserve, the fans. 

"But they understand this, and that is why I think they are behind the team. 

"They see most of the time that this is a team that is fighting for each other, it has the right spirit, we are United and hopefully, we can pay them back in the future." 

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