Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has identified lack of concentration as one of the reasons why the Reds’ suffered a 6-3 hammering in the hands of Manchester City .
A run of four consecutive wins for United in the EPL was crushed by a dominant Manchester City team who were fantastic in a four star first half at the Etihad Stadium .
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden got a hat-trick apiece for City to better goals from Anthony and a Martial brace for Manchester United .
In his post match reaction , Erik Ten Hag expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of his players .
ON A DISAPPOINTING GAME
“I am very disappointed, especially at the lack of belief. I didn’t expect it. In the [previous] games, yes some weeks ago, our team was confident, there was a good spirit, there was a good vibe and today we didn’t bring it on the pitch from the first minute at all. The vibe hasn’t gone [definitively] but today they didn’t bring the belief on the pitch. It is possible to play and we didn’t. On the ball we gave easy balls away. We made many wrong decisions and out of possession, we didn’t go on the front foot. I always expect my team [to go on the front foot] but today, they didn’t do that.”
ASSESMENT
“It’s always difficult to find out, especially straight after the game. I have to talk to my players, I have to find out. They know they [can do] better – see the performances against Arsenal and Liverpool – but if you don’t fight, like we didn’t, then you have a problem against a team like Man City. When you don’t concentrate against a team like Man City you get hammered, that’s what happened.”
“It’s always difficult to find out, especially straight after the game. I have to talk to my players, I have to find out. They know they [can do] better – see the performances against Arsenal and Liverpool – but if you don’t fight, like we didn’t, then you have a problem against a team like Man City. When you don’t concentrate against a team like Man City you get hammered, that’s what happened.”
PRESENT STATUS
“I think it’s good that a team like City gives you the status where you are in this moment. It’s clear we did well against top teams like Liverpool and Arsenal, when we were disciplined and we followed the rules and principles, we had belief to play and we were on the front foot defending. Then you can bring a good performance and that can bring a result. When you don’t, when you are not front foot, when you are not brave to play, you get the result as today.” Erik Ten Hag said .
When pressed for comments on the positives from the game , Erik Ten Hag identified goals for Anthony and Martial who he decided to hand some minutes with the Red’s push to the wall.
The United manager was also impressed with a brave second half performance that saw United score three goals to reduce the extent of the damage .
Manchester United FC have now lost the last three Manchester derby’s a record that will definitely hurt the Red side of Manchester .
