Tears as Eric Ten Hag left MANCHESTER UNITED in shame – Ten Hag’s first press conference after been sacked today as he insults Man Utd board
United fell behind just five minutes into the game as Dominic Solanke opened the scoring for the visitors, who went on to add two more goals in the second half. The disastrous displays of the likes of Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw will see Ten Hag and his team face further criticism amid a disappointing season so far.
United looked to be on the way up after their 2-1 win against Chelsea lifted them to within three points of reigning champions and treble winners Manchester City. However, the latest embarrassment shows just how far behind their rivals the Red Devils appear to be, having lost seven of the 16 Premier League games they have played this season.
Asked for his feelings on his team’s performance, Ten Hag told reporters that the game did not go according to plan, saying: “Of course, annoyed, disappointed, definitely. I expected something different, I hoped before the game you can build on the performance and result from Chelsea, so it’s very disappointing. The way we started the game and then I think a long time we did everything to get back in the game, we get one shot, almost a penalty, then in the build-up we make a mistake and we are not good enough in the rest of defence and that is disappointing. You’re following facts, we put a lot of effort in to turn the game, but then the brilliance, the movement in the box were not there to get the equaliser. After the 2-0, we broke down so we have to do things better.”
When the manager was asked if this is the lowest point in his reign at the club, he said: “I think as I say, the way we started is no good, that is poor. It’s first five minutes of the game and especially against an opponent like today, very good transition team, you give them perfect circumstances. It shouldn’t happen but we did everything to turn in the game, we had a lot of attacks, we didn’t come to a point to turn the game although we had opportunities.”
The Dutchman was left to wonder why his team cannot string together a good run of results, adding: “That is the question but I think we have to always be ready for the game and so I have to take the responsibility for that. I have to prepare the team so they are ready for the game, from my point of view I’m very disappointed the way we started and we have to be better. We are really inconsistent, we have the abilities to do it, but you have to do it every game and every third day. I think, as a squad, we are not good enough to be consistent and we have to work as a squad to improve that.”
The United fans cheered when striker Martial was substituted in the second half, but the coach came to his defence. He said: “Two weeks ago against Everton he played a very good game, he absolutely has the competences and abilities to play, so I don’t think it’s fair after a performance like this to go to one player, we as a group failed altogether.”
“As a group, we have to improve, we have to get tougher, that we are ready for the game from the start,” Ten Hag said when asked if he has faith in his players. “I said on Friday that you can’t be in this league if you are not playing on the highest levels because you get killed. That’s what happened in the five minutes and then you are following facts and especially against them, you make life easier for them, they have perfect conditions to play in. You see the team fighting, battling, put a lot of effort in for a long period but it can’t happen that you so easily concede a goal.”
United were given three Premier League awards before the weekend’s loss. Ten Hag was named the league’s Manager of the Month for November – which was mockingly highlighted by Gary Lineker after the Bournemouth loss – while defender Harry Maguire was given the Player of the Month award and Alejandro Garnacho claimed the Goal of the Month for his staggering overhead kick against Everton.
The Red Devils must take three points from Bayern Munich and hope Galatasaray and Copenhagen draw if they are to progress beyond the group stage of the Champions League in the coming week. After that, they will have to make do without captain Bruno Fernandes for next week’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Premier League after he picked up a silly booking on Saturday against Bournemouth.
