Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, expressed his disappointment with his players following their nail-biting 2-1 victory over Brentford. In a post-match interview, he openly criticized the team’s inability to handle pressure and urged them to show more determination on the pitch. According to Ten Hag, the players’ experience and high-quality skills should demand a higher level of responsibility. The first half of the season has been plagued by opponents who outplayed and outmatched them, leaving Ten Hag frustrated and calling for drastic changes.
Ten Hag emphasized the importance of every player giving their utmost effort in every second on the pitch. He declared that failure to meet this demand would lead to unfavorable consequences. The manager compared football to a survival of the fittest scenario, stating that if the players do not exhibit hunger and determination, they will be overtaken by their opponents. He called for an immediate change in their mentality, highlighting the need to be more determined on every occasion during games. Ten Hag believed that implementing this change would result in a resolute and unified team, something they have lacked in the past.
Desperate for Victory
The win against Brentford salvaged United’s morale going into the international break, following consecutive defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray. However, Ten Hag emphasized that the team cannot afford to rely solely on last-minute heroics. He acknowledged their defensive shortcomings and criticized the team for starting the match disorganized, leading to an early goal conceded. He stressed that such errors are unacceptable in top-level football, especially considering the talent and caliber of players at Manchester United.
Despite the shortcomings, Ten Hag remained optimistic and saw McTominay’s late goals as a potential turning point for the team. He called for a restart, hoping that the victory and the team’s spirit and belief would propel them to higher levels. Ten Hag acknowledged the importance of collective effort and expressed his confidence in the team’s unity. He believed that the future would be brighter if they took this win as an opportunity to change their approach and mindset.
Meanwhile, Brentford manager Thomas Frank described the defeat as “brutal” after coming so close to securing their first win at Old Trafford since 1937. Frank praised his team’s performance in the first half, highlighting their successful high pressing and counterattacking style. He believed that the lead they had achieved was well-deserved, making the eventual loss all the more devastating. Frank attributed the defeat to the harsh realities of football, where moments like these can be incredibly brutal.
Erik ten Hag’s critical remarks towards his Manchester United players reflect his high expectations and demanding standards. The manager believes that the team has fallen short in terms of determination and hunger on the pitch. He has called for an immediate change and emphasized that only through collective effort and a change in mentality can they reach higher levels. With the victory over Brentford as a potential turning point, United now faces the challenge of implementing the necessary changes for a fresh start. Meanwhile, Brentford must recover from the heartbreak of coming so close to victory at Old Trafford.
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