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Erik Ten Hag Calls for Improvement as Manchester United Struggles to Build Momentum
Prince Jean
Sep 26, 2024
Manchester United's head coach, Erik Ten Hag, has expressed deep frustration after his side’s 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Europa League. Despite leading through a first-half goal by Christian Eriksen, the Red Devils were unable to secure victory, conceding a second-half equalizer that Ten Hag described as a "team mistake" that was "completely unacceptable."
In his post-match interview, Ten Hag highlighted a recurring issue with his squad — their inability to maintain consistency throughout the 90 minutes.
"We kept them alive,"
said, pointing out that United failed to capitalize on their advantage and press for a second goal.
"We dropped the level, and they punished us for that mistake,"
Ten Hag lamented, clearly frustrated by the team’s defensive lapses and inability to close out games.
The goal, which came from Sam Lammers of Twente, resulted from a defensive breakdown, with an opposing player allowed to dribble through large portions of the pitch unchallenged. This moment, according to Ten Hag, epitomizes Manchester United's struggles this season — a lack of cohesion and the inability to kill off games when in control.
Beyond the immediate frustrations, the Dutch manager remains focused on long-term improvements. He emphasized the importance of "building good structures" within the team to ensure more consistent performances.
"We have to be more secure and dominate the ball, speeding up the game when necessary to find the second goal,"
The draw is a continuation of a challenging period for United, with the pressure on Ten Hag increasing as the team’s inconsistency persists. Although their Europa League campaign is just beginning, the club's inability to secure a strong start has raised concerns. The manager acknowledged the emotional weight of facing his former club, FC Twente, but stressed that his priority is to improve Manchester United’s fortunes moving forward.
This result comes as part of a broader narrative this season, where United’s performances have not lived up to expectations. Despite moments of brilliance, such as Eriksen's goal, the team has yet to demonstrate the kind of dominance fans had hoped for under Ten Hag's leadership.
Moving forward, the manager’s task will be not only to address these on-field issues but to find a way to instill a greater sense of resilience in his players. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial as United looks to bounce back and refocus their efforts on both domestic and European fronts.
