‘Goodbye’ - Erik ten Hag makes interesting ‘lap of honour’ admission before Manchester United vs Newcastle

Erik ten Hag has revealed Manchester United will perform their customary lap of honour even if they lose on home soil tonight.

Newcastle United travel to Old Trafford looking for their fourth consecutive win against the Red Devils. They have not achieved that feat since Man United changed their name from Newton Heath in 1902.

Another record - that requires a point - up for grabs is finishing above the Red Devils for the first time in 47 years. But most importantly, Newcastle are aiming to take a huge stride towards Europa League qualification.

The Magpies face a Man United team bereft of confidence and riddled with injuries. Ten Hag, too, is under immense pressure following a run of one win from eight Premier League games.

The Dutchman defiantly told reporters that the post-match gratitude towards fans will take place - regardless of the result. Ten Hag also insisted he will not be saying goodbye as this will not be his last time at Old Trafford.

“Yeah, we will do,” he said when asked about whether the players will do a lap of honour. “Yes, of course (we will show our appreciation to the fans). In good times, in bad times we are together, and the fans are showing that we are together, so, yeah, a lap of honour we will do.

“Goodbye for me? It’s not how I feel it and how I see it. That’s not the way I go to start that lap of honour for the fans, no. In the stadium, away and home, they are always backing the team, backing me, and also when I’m in the streets many, many come to me.

“Maybe it’s just polite but I don’t feel it like this. I almost never get a negative reaction because the fans understand where we are.”