The season has barely started when Erik ten Hag is already forced to dot the i’s. Furious after the performance of his players on the lawn of Tottenham last weekend (2-0 defeat), the Dutch technician let out a memorable rant during the press briefing before the match of the day’s meeting (against Nottingham Forest, this Saturday at 4 p.m.). According to him, his team did not apply any of the instructions he had given before the match, which makes him angry.
“It’s not about the midfield, it’s about the defense and attacking lines. That’s why we left all spaces open. They (his players, editor’s note) did not run. Or they were running at the wrong time, too late. Especially the front players did not replace themselves. he started, directly attacking players like Marcus Rashford, Antony or even Alejandro Garnacho, all holders and all replaced during the match.
Ten Hag on the game against Tottenham: “it was not acceptable”
He pursues : “For the first 35 minutes we were so good and totally dominated the game. We should have scored at least once, even twice it would have been logical. They (Spurs) were nowhere, there was nothing, and then things happened during the game. They (his players, editor’s note) were distracted and no longer did the job at all. It is however the requirement of a player of a team like Manchester United. I’m not used to that team because they always usually do. This is what the fans but also us, the staff, expect.
Ten Hag also revealed that he challenged his players after the Tottenham clash as if to sting them. “I told them it was not acceptable. Each individual must take responsibility. We need responsible actors. We are in the same boat. I am responsible, too. We have to face the fact that in the first two games we weren’t good enough, but we still won one. If everyone does their job, and we have a very good team, we will win games. That’s one hell of a wake-up call.
