'Our players are better than this’ - Ten Hag frustrated by Manchester United mistakes

Erik ten Hag was upset with Manchester United's flawed organisation against Bournemouth (Imago/Pro Sports Images)

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Erik ten Hag was not pleased with Manchester United's flawed organisation against Bournemouth (Imago/Pro Sports Images)

'Our players are better than this’ - Ten Hag frustrated by Manchester United mistakes

Seye Omidiora 02:18 - 14.04.2024

The Dutchman was not pleased with the ease with which Bournemouth twice scored in Saturday’s draw at the Vitality Stadium.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has criticised his players’ organisation after Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth.  

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Bournemouth 2-2 Manchester United

The Red Devils were outplayed in the first half at the Vitality Stadium, twice falling behind to goals from Dominic Solanke and Justin Kluivert, but Ten Hag’s men responded both times with goals from Bruno Fernandes

Quality chances were at a premium for Man United on the day, with the away side shooting at goal eight times while conceding 20 attempts to the Cherries. Saturday’s draw means Saturday's result means United have won just one of their last seven Premier League games — a 2-0 triumph over Everton on March 9 — emphasising the Manchester outfit's pitiful run.  

What Ten Hag said about Manchester United’s latest setback?

Playing out a successive 2-2 draw saw the Red Devils slide to seventh in the Premier League table, supplanted by Newcastle United, who moved into sixth after a stunning 4-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. 

Ten Hag was disappointed with some aspects of his side’s organisation, pointing out how they could have prevented the goals conceded. 

“They (the players) were very motivated,” asserted the Man Utd boss. “They were motivated but the organisation was not right, we lost balls where we shouldn’t lose them under pressure of the opponent. Our players are better than this.

Bournemouth vs Manchester United
Ten Hag's Manchester United side have won just one Premier League game in seven (Imago/Pro Sports Images)

“Solanke was dropping in, and we didn’t anticipate it before he scored.  This had something to do with the organisation and why I pointed to some coaching there, and you stop at that source.

And the second phase was too easy on that right side, there was a big gap and Kluivert should never have got the ball there. But then we have to close it, that’s clear and obvious.” 

What comes next for Ten Hag’s Manchester United?

The Dutchman is reportedly fighting for his job at Old Trafford, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group said to be seeking a change in the summer

After league disappointment, Manchester United turn attention to cup duty when they take on Coventry in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on April 21, keen to make back-to-back finals at the illustrious competition.