Erik ten Hag admitted during his post-match press conference he was left feeling “annoyed” and "disappointed” after he watched his side capitulate against Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
The 3-0 loss means Manchester United have now lost 7 of their 16 games in the Premier League this season and the Dutchman feels that they are “not good enough.”
""I think, as a squad, we are not good enough to be consistent and we have to work as a squad to improve that. We are really inconsistent, we have the abilities to do it, but you have to do it every game and every third day.” "Ten Hag on current squad
United had come into the encounter against The Cherries on the back of an uplifting performance in a 2-1 win against Chelsea and ten Hag had hoped that the Red Devils could use this as a catalyst to find some form. His hopes were dashed early as Dominic Solanke netted Bournemouth’s first goal after only 5 minutes.
""I expected something different, I hoped before the game you can build on from the performance and result from Chelsea, so it's very disappointing, the way we started the game.”"Ten Hag on momentum after Chelsea win
The embarrassing defeat came as Bournemouth punished a United side who allows their opponents an average of a staggering 15 shots on goal per game. A downbeat ten Hag admitted that his side left themselves with a lot to do by conceding in the opening 5 minutes of the game.
""The way we started is no good, that is poor. It's the first five minutes of the game and especially against an opponent like today, a very good transition team, you give them perfect circumstances, it shouldn't happen.""Ten Hag on Saturday’s poor start
Bournemouth who were the better side throughout showed a plan, a structure and a pattern to their play - something that has not been in evidence enough from the Red Devils this season and ten Hag conceded that he had not prepared his players well enough.
""I think we have to always be ready for the game and so I have to take the responsibility for that, I have to prepare the team so they are ready for the game. From my point of view, I'm very disappointed with the way we started and we have to be better.”"Ten Hag on accountability
Red Devil Armada’s verdict:
It is a worrying start to what could be a defining week for the former Ajax boss. Manchester United face German giants Bayern Munich in a must win Champions League tie and then face a daunting trip to Anfield to face top of the table Liverpool.