Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has opened up about just what frustrated him the most during the poor 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
The Dutch manager made a few rather poor decisions throughout the game as the pressure, once again, is seemingly back on the former Ajax coach.
Manchester United fell behind midway through the first half and, despite a few half chances in the second half, never looked like coming back into the game after Joachim Anderson’s goal.
Speaking after the defeat, Erik ten Hag singled out one area in particular that he was unhappy with and it is hard to disagree with the Dutchman.
Ten Hag’s frustration
Speaking to Laurie Whitwell after the game, Ten Hag said: “I can’t say the players didn’t run. But in the final part, we didn’t do well. You have to show more willingness to score that goal. It’s not a matter of luck, you can’t explain it like this.”
United had a lot of possession, a lot of effort but they just couldn’t break down such a resolute side and clearly, Roy Hodgson learned from the mistakes that he made in the Carabao Cup.
The Red Devils seemed out of ideas at times during the game and were poor throughout as Palace looked comfortable.
United’s profligacy
Ten Hag’s side have been rather toothless at times this season and have only scored more than one goal on one occasion this season, the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest last month.
The goals have not been forthcoming so far this season. With Casemiro being the club’s top goalscorer with four goals, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund have just one goal apiece, which is concerning.
The Red Devils need to address this profligacy sooner rather than later otherwise it will be the manager who will suffer as a result, not the players.
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