Manchester United new head coach Erik ten Hag has slammed his players for allowing an “unacceptable” down fall in their 2-2 pre-season game on Saturday.
The Red Devils played their fourth pre-season game this summer against Aston Villa on Saturday which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Man United started the game in the best way ever as they went two goals up through a goal from a former Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho and an own goal.
However, Steven Gerrard and his boys fought back to equalize in the second half, including a stoppage-time strike. This performance has left Erik ten Hag unhappy with his boys and wasted no time in letting out his feelings.
The disappointed manager said that his boys had no excuse for not winning the game after going 2-0 up against their opponent.
Man United are still working to get back into winning ways after they had a lot of difficulties winning games last season. Hence, the new manager has set high expectations for the players because he believes that’s the best way to bring back the winning mentality.
After the 2-2 draw, Erik Ten Hag said: “We had a lot of movement behind the defending line, scored two great goals so we were 2-0 up at half-time and then our focus dropped.
“It can be that the guys are tired but that’s not an excuse. They have to perform and it is what we didn’t do in the second half. In the first half, we were really good.”
🗣️ “There was a dip of focus […] no matter what we have to perform”
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 23, 2022
Erik Ten Hag reacts to his side’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ivbQnOrQ8Q
He added that he doesn’t want to blame the unfavorable pitch and weather because no matter the condition they have to perform very well and come out with a win.
According to the former Ajax head coach, football is a sport of mistakes and they have to reduce their mistakes to become the best. However, he revealed that the team has progressed in the last two weeks but he wants more from his players.
Erik ten Hag added that they played really good football in the first half, but they have to learn from what happened in the second half. Because it’s not possible that you go 2-0 up and then throw it away.
Manchester United will be in action again next Saturday when they play against Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid to make it five games so far in their pre-season tour.
The Red Devils will conclude their tour the following day with a match against Rayo Vallecano. They will then have to wait until August 7 to start their 2022/23 campaign with a game against Brighton in the English Premier League.
Based on their performance in their preseason tour, Man United are already looking like a side that will challenge for trophies next season after going five straight years without winning a trophy.
