In a match filled with drama and twists, Manchester United suffered a devastating 4-3 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, leaving manager Erik ten Hag to address the shortcomings that led to the disappointing result, reported by GOAL.
Despite moments of brilliance that saw Manchester United claw back from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 lead, the Red Devils ultimately faltered in the dying moments of the game. Cole Palmer's hat-trick for Chelsea sealed their fate, leaving United reeling from what ten Hag described as an “unacceptable” loss. Despite their valiant efforts and moments of dominance on the field, the inability to manage the game effectively proved costly for United, who surrendered the lead until the 99th minute.
Erik ten Hag's assessment
In his post-match interview with TNT Sports, ten Hag expressed a mix of frustration and pride in his team's performance. While acknowledging moments of brilliance, he highlighted defensive lapses and individual errors that ultimately contributed to United's downfall. The Dutch manager emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, stressing the need for the team to remain composed and cohesive, especially in high-pressure situations. Despite facing a staggering 28 shots on goal from Chelsea, ten Hag remained defiant, dismissing concerns about United's defensive capabilities and attributing the defeat to isolated incidents rather than systemic issues.
“Yes we started poor, kicking the ball away and defending poorly. But you saw we were dominating the game and it was brilliant how we played – we deserved to win the game. But, you cannot give it away like we did and we have to manage this game better. It is a team performance, you can point to one of the players but it is about team performance. When it gets chaotic you have to deal with it as a team and we made the wrong decisions and we didn't help out as a team. Out of possession, we made a bad decision – a lack of concentration. Also, I think (un) lucky at the end with the penalty situation, questionable and very soft but we have to do better.” ten Hag said.
Despite facing criticism over United's defensive mistakes, ten Hag remained firm in his belief in the team's abilities. Refuting statistics that highlighted United's vulnerability in defense, he maintained confidence in the team's defensive structure. With the belief that United possesses the necessary components for defensive stability, ten Hag dismissed the statistics, saying: “..We have good defending as a team, a good goalkeeper and a good back four so I cannot do anything with such stats.”
What's next for Manchester United?
As United's hopes of securing European qualification hang in the balance, ten Hag faces mounting pressure to deliver results and secure his future at the club. With a crucial fixture against Liverpool looming on the horizon, United must quickly regroup and address the deficiencies highlighted in their defeat to Chelsea. The upcoming match against their arch-rivals presents an opportunity for redemption and resurgence, as United seeks to bounce back from their recent setback and reignite their pursuit of success in the Premier League.
Follow Us
Subscribe