Erik Ten Hag Frustrated With Manchester United’s Troubled Defence

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag criticised his side’s defending in the aftermath of their 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.

United twice held a two-goal advantage at 2-0 and 3-1, but threw them both away with a series of mistakes to leave them on the brink of going out of the competition.

“We are not defending good enough,” the Dutchman said. “We are leading 3-1 and you can’t afford the mistakes we’re making, because that makes the difference.”

“We were winning and then we’re losing points. We should have taken three points. That is also the case in more games: at home against Galatasaray, away in Copenhagen, we played so good. I have to make a big compliment to the team but, in the same moment, I have to criticise the team and us: as a coaching staff and me, as a manager.”

United have now conceded a staggering 14 goals in five Champions League games this season to leave them bottom of their group ahead of the final round of fixtures.

“I think every goal against Galatasaray has its own story,” said Ten Hag. “The first is a transition moment, when you speak about quick release, we don’t block the middle.”

“The second is a free-kick, an unnecessary free-kick, but then we have to defend the free-kick better and then the third one, we are very good and organised but we got run off and we are in an overload area. So it can never happen, these mistakes can’t be. In the Champions League, you get punished for it, so you have to learn from it.”

United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana was at fault for all three goals, especially the two free-kicks he should have comfortably saved, but Ten Hag was keen to protect him.

“Andre is okay,” Ten Hag said. “It is not about individuals. Of course, individual errors in football can make a difference and you take responsibility for it but it is always about the team.”

“I am responsible for this, but also know we are in a project,” said Ten Hag. We’re getting forward, we’re making improvement, so that’s very hopeful. We are in the right direction, so I know where we have to go and which steps we have to take and I’m sure we will be successful in the long term. If we want to stay in the Champions League, we have to win the next game.”

Despite another frustrating night in the Champions League, United played well for large parts of the game, and scored with two spectacular strikes in the first half from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes.

“I’m very pleased, you see the style of the team. Proactive, dynamic, brave, so it’s what I said, I’m really pleased with the performance. We created so many chances.”

“Also, in the end, we could have won this game, with Scott McTominay, with Pelli [Facundo Pellistri]. They were big chances and it was not about luck but about playing good football.”

“Of course, I am disappointed because we should have managed the game better, we will learn from that. Because this team is in development.”