Manchester United Manager Erik ten Hag Reflects on US Tour 2023
Manchester United Manager Erik ten Hag Reflects on US Tour 2023
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| Manchester United Manager Erik ten Hag Reflects on US Tour(Image-Getty) |
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, expressed a mix of emotions after the team's Tour 2023 in the United States ended with a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Borussia Dortmund. Despite goals from Diogo Dalot and Antony, the Reds were unable to secure a victory against the German side at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Speaking to MUTV's Zarah Connolly, Danny Webber, and Andy Cole on the pitch after the game, ten Hag provided an honest assessment of the match. He acknowledged the positives from the first hour, praising the team's strong performance, teamwork, dynamics, and pressing. However, he expressed frustration over the two goals they conceded, which were lapses in defending and building up, leading to a poor last half-hour performance.
Regarding the overall US tour, the manager believed it had been beneficial for the team's development. Nevertheless, he stressed that finishing with a strong performance was crucial, and he was disappointed with the goals conceded due to poor defending and ball control. He emphasized the need for the team to maintain control and responsibility on the field, even in friendly matches, as mistakes like these should be avoided.
Ten Hag highlighted the importance of learning from experiences, specifically mentioning young player Omari Forson. He cautioned Forson against taking matters into his own hands and letting emotions affect his gameplay, suggesting that playing football and focusing on the game would yield better results.
The manager emphasized the team's responsibility to perform well without any excuses, stating that being Manchester United means delivering wins consistently, as the fans have high expectations.
Looking ahead, ten Hag acknowledged the need to get back to the team's standards and patterns to have a successful start to the league. After returning from the tour and taking a day off, the team would need to prepare for two weekend games and then focus on getting ready for the first game of the season, ensuring they are well-prepared and cohesive on the pitch.
