Erik ten Hag makes clear what he blames for Manchester United dropping points

Add as preferred source on Google

Erik ten Hag has blamed the attitude of Manchester United’s players for dropping points against Leeds.

United conceded goals at the start of each half to fall to a 2-0 deficit against Leeds.

This left United with a lot of work to do, and while they created the chances to win the game, they did not manage to score the crucial third goal.

The best chances to win the game fell to Fred and Raphael Varane, and United had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

Ten Hag reacts

Erik ten Hag was very unhappy with the performance and blamed the attitude of the players.

Speaking to the club website, he said: “Very poor. It’s unacceptable. You start any game, but especially a derby, the way we did.

“We were down and had to fight back. We made big mistakes. That’s to do with attitude.

“We were not ready to go into the duels. We lose the duels and the formation was also bad at the start.

“When we lost the ball, we didn’t follow the principles and were quickly down. And, from the warning in the first half, the second half was the same.”

Ten Hag will drill it into his players to win every ball and second ball at Elland Road on Sunday, when the two teams face off again.

United cannot possibly start worse in than they did in this game, when Wilfried Gnonto scored in the first minute.

This gave Leeds exactly what Manchester United did not want to give them: Hope.

An early goal for Manchester United would likely have seen Ten Hag’s side run away with a win, but last night, probably for various reasons including injuries, meant United were more disjointed than usual.

But changed personnel will not be an excuse for Ten Hag. He will demand that whichever 11 he selects, get the basics right, including having the right attitude to compete.

Last night the team clearly fell short of his expectations, and the manager was evidently disappointed.

It wasn’t all bad. He did have compliments for the way the team bounced back to draw, commenting: “I have to make compliments to the team for the resilience and the way they fight back.

“I think we make some really good football, great chances and, finally, also we finished and scored two great goals.”