Wasted Chances:
Erik Ten Hag couldn’t hide his disappointment as his players wasted scoring opportunities with a sense of irresponsibility. After the match, when asked about the need for a new striker at the club, the Dutch tactician openly acknowledged his concerns about the matter.
“Certainly, we need a striker. There are two aspects the team needs to improve – pressing ability and goal-scoring proficiency. Particularly, Manchester United requires more players with the ability to find the back of the net.”
In the game, Rashford, Garnacho, and McTominay had chances to score, but they were unable to capitalize on them. The team has been training diligently, and improvements have been made, but there are still some areas that need addressing. The coaching staff and players are focused on rectifying these issues.
Looking for New Talent:
Ten Hag emphasized that Manchester United never discusses a player while they are still under contract with the club. The team has its own targets to seek out the most suitable individuals.
Adversity Against Real Madrid:
Manchester United found themselves in a difficult position during their clash with Real Madrid, a fact that Ten Hag did not deny. However, the Dutch manager offered some explanations for the players’ underperformance. Early on, the injury to young talent Kobbie Mainoo had a significant impact. Additionally, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was expected to neutralize Real Madrid’s left-wing threat, was unable to showcase his defensive prowess.
“We had a poor start when Mainoo got injured in the 10th minute. Following that moment, Manchester United found themselves outnumbered and conceded an early goal. The offside decision leading to that goal by Bellingham is still debatable at this point.”
Despite facing a formidable team like Real Madrid, Manchester United still created some clear-cut chances. However, it is crucial for the team to be more clinical and convert opportunities into goals. There were about 3-4 promising chances, but the players were unsuccessful in converting them.
Ten Hag acknowledged that the defeat was not an all-encompassing failure, as Manchester United displayed some positive aspects and showed that they are moving in the right direction. He expressed satisfaction with the performance against an opponent with a sophisticated tactical system and exceptional skill level. Manchester United is now determined to address their shortcomings and continue striving for success.
