Man United ace defends Erik ten Hag’s tactics following Virgil Van Dijk criticism

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Manchester United star Jonny Evans has defended the Red Devils’ tactics during the 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

Erik ten Hag was certainly under pressure heading into the game at Anfield with the Manchester United boss suffering back-to-back defeats against Bournemouth and Bayern Munich.

The Red Devils were under pressure throughout the game from the Merseyside club but Jurgen Klopp’s men failed to create any clear-cut chances. Andre Onana made a few good saves but the Red Devils kept Liverpool at arm’s length throughout.

The centre-back pairing of Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane, which was unorthodox, certainly worked in keeping out the rather dangerous Liverpool attack.

Evans defends tactics

Gary Neville was certainly not happy with the tactics of the Red Devils during the game at Anfield, claiming that Jose Mourinho would have been ‘killed’ for a performance like that when speaking to Sky Sports.

However, speaking to the Daily Mail, United centre-back Jonny Evans has defended the club’s tactics for the game and admitted you have to ‘grind it out’ at Anfield.

“I’ve played games here where you have to grind it out,” said the Northern Irishman, now in his second spell at Old Trafford. “You don’t always come to Anfield and play well. I’ve been a part of this club in the past.

“Even back then, in 2013, we got a win here but the game was very difficult. You have to grind it out. It’s a battle. It is a game of moments – big moments in the game. We’ll come away, take the point, and move on.

“We are seventh in the league at the moment, but we were eighth going into the match. Liverpool were top. It was a hard-fought point. They dominated the game in terms of being around our box but we probably had two of the best chances.”

Virgil Van Dijk was also furious with how United played, claiming that only one side wanted to win.

Ten Hag got it right

Fans can be upset with the tactics given by Ten Hag but the reality of the situation is, as mentioned by Evans, United were eighth coming into the game and needed something.

Had they gone toe to toe with Liverpool they would have gotten annihilated and there is a good chance that Ten Hag would have been out of a job by now.

This was a good point, all things considered, but the Red Devils have to build on this and get a result against David Moyes’ West Ham United side next weekend.