Erik ten Hag gives verdict on Manchester United’s young players v Cadiz

Add as preferred source on Google

Erik ten Hag has told Manchester United’s website he was pleased by the performances of the young players against Cadiz.

United lost the game 4-2, with 21 different players featuring. The second half included 10 outfield changes made at half-time.

They went up against more experienced senior players, with Kobbie Mainoo, just 17, getting on the scoresheet to follow Anthony Martial’s first half penalty.

The side featured several of last season’s FA Youth Cup winners, and there were more left in reserve.

Ten Hag on United’s young players v Cadiz

Mainoo’s goal tied the game at 2-2, before Cadiz pounced on a couple of errors to retake and extend their lead.

Erik ten Hag spoke after the match and said that the performances of the youngsters gave reason to be encouraged, despite the obvious flaws he could see.

The manager explained: “They gave energy. They run; they fight.

“Maybe not always in the right organisation, [so] they make mistakes [because] they are not used to playing in this level. It was a good lesson.

“You see that if you make small mistakes, they have big consequences and that’s what happened.”

A couple of the better defenders on the night exemplified Ten Hag’s comments. Dishon Bernard defended well, making an important headed interception, and then got caught out by playing a stray pass which led to Cadiz’s fourth goal.

Marc Jurado was also caught out after playing an offside for the third, which wasn’t given. But that should not detract from his own encouraging performance which saw him assist Mainoo’s goal.

Isak Hansen-Aaroen also typified Ten Hag’s comments. He did not get on the ball as much as he would have liked, but he worked very hard off the ball, winning the ball back for the team in the final third.

There is plenty to work on, to analyse, and take stock of, and every player who featured will be better off for the experience and the added fitness. Ten Hag will have learned a lot too about the talent he has coming through the ranks.