Erik Ten Hag reacts to United’s 2-0 loss against Spurs
![LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: James Maddison and manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur and manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 19, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: James Maddison and manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur and manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 19, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e64dbd60cf5f30d770b1d471fa72ef0a5e276339ade8530db809bd964c6ad05a.jpg)
Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag was upbeat in his interview after his side’s 2-0 loss against Tottenham Hotspur, as quoted by BBC.
Speaking on his overall verdict of the performance, Ten Hag said:
"”We created the chances, the first half was completely ours and then you have to score. We created the chances but we didn’t put them in the net.”"
The Red Devils were all square at 0-0 by halftime but collapsed in the second half of the game – something that was a common feature last season too.
One of the concerns after the 1-0 win against Wolves was the lack of cohesion between the front three, in particular the wingers lack of defending. This often left United vulnerable on the counter press. An unchanged side meant that the same front three of Garnacho, Rashford and Antony started the game. Ten Hag commented on defending wide areas in the match against Spurs:
"”I think our wide players pressed quite well, but in moments they beat the press, and our players then have to do better to recover. But also they need support from the full backs and the 6’s too, we need to coordinate that better.”"
The manager was also yellow carded at the end of the match, for which he defended himself saying:
"”I made a comment, nice and polite, but the ref(eree) did not appreciate it.”"
United found themselves lost in the second half, recording an away loss once again to a top 6 side. The record last season was one of the bigger negatives, and Ten Hag will be wary of not having that unwanted record lurking over his shoulder in his second season at the club.
Their next game will be against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday, where they will be looking to bounce back from this defeat.