- Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag criticizes the team’s lack of energy and motivation in their 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest
- Ten Hag expresses disappointment with the unnecessary loss, emphasizing the need for improved investment and better performance from his players
Erik ten Hag did not mince words as he criticized his Manchester United team following their disappointing 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The loss marked United’s worst start to a season since 1930 and continued their recent struggles in all competitions.
Ten Hag expressed his frustration with the lack of energy and motivation displayed by his players during a lackluster first-half performance, where they managed only one shot. The situation worsened in the second half as Nicolas Dominguez scored to put Forest ahead. Although Marcus Rashford equalized with his third goal of the season, Morgan Gibbs-White’s late strike sealed United’s fourth defeat in their last six games.
“It’s disappointing. The loss was unnecessary. We lost it in the first half. We weren’t energized enough or invested enough,” remarked Ten Hag. “We should invest more in the first half. In the second, we were better. In the first half, we should have created some moments, and we didn’t. We know these results are below our standards. The players are not happy with this, but we have to do better.”
United, currently seventh in the league and nine points adrift of the top four, has now suffered nine defeats in their first 20 league games, a record not seen since the 1989-90 season. This brings their total defeats in all competitions this season to 14, the most since 1930-31.
The loss to Forest, the first since 1994, occurred in the presence of Dave Brailsford, head of sport for new investors INEOS. Erik ten Hag acknowledged the team’s problems, particularly the absence of striker Rasmus Hojlund, who scored the winner against Aston Villa in the previous game.
As questions about Ten Hag’s future at the club linger, the former Ajax boss remains confident that he can reverse United’s current downturn.
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