MX23RW : Monday, May 6 12:39:37| >> :60:2115:2115:
[monks data]
Manchester United logo
Friendlies
Jul 23, 2022 at 10.45am UK
Old Trafford
Aston Villa logo

Man Utd
2 - 2
Aston Villa

Sancho (25'), Cash (42' og.)
Chong (78'), Bailly (90+2')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Bailey (49'), Chambers (90+3')
Coutinho (13'), McGinn (51')

Erik ten Hag brands Manchester United collapse "unacceptable"

Erik ten Hag brands Man United collapse
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag criticises his team for allowing a two-goal lead to slip against Aston Villa.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has criticised his team for allowing a two-goal lead to slip against Aston Villa in Saturday's pre-season friendly in Perth.

The 20-time English champions led 2-0 at the interval of the contest courtesy of a strike from Jadon Sancho and an own goal from Matty Cash.

However, Leon Bailey halved the deficit early in the second period before Calum Chambers came up with a leveller for Steven Gerrard's side in the final moments.

The 2-2 draw ended Man United's 100% record on their pre-season tour, and Ten Hag was not prepared to blame the torrential rain, which impacted the pitch, for his side's disappointing second-half display.

"We had a lot of movement behind the defending line, scored two great goals so we were 2-0 up at half-time and then our focus dropped," the Daily Mail quotes Ten Hag as saying.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag on July 15, 2022© Reuters

"It can be that the guys are tired but that's not an excuse. They have to perform and it is what we didn't do that in the second half. It was the focus. I don't want to make excuses about the pitch or weather. No matter what we have to perform.

"Football is a sport of mistakes and we have to decrease the mistakes. That's clear but I have seen a lot of progress in these two weeks.

"In the first half I saw really good football, really controlling and dominating the game but we have to learn from what happened in the second half. It's not possible that you go 2-0 and then throw it away.

"A drop of focus is unacceptable. We have to get out of the dressing room and back in your plan and your focus and back to your performance and that is what we didn't do."

Man United have finished their pre-season tour of Australia with three wins and one draw from their four matches, having overcome Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace before sharing the points with their Premier League opponents on Saturday.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag pictured on July 9, 2022© Reuters

The Red Devils will now head to Europe for their final two friendlies of the summer against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, which both take place next weekend.

Ten Hag's side will then begin their 2022-23 Premier League campaign at home to Graham Potter's Brighton & Hove Albion outfit on August 7.

Tyrell Malacia has been the club's only summer arrival on their tour, with Christian Eriksen not making the trip to Australia, while a move for Lisandro Martinez has not yet been made official despite the club reaching an agreement with Ajax over his signature.

Man United continue to chase Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, while they are still believed to be looking to sign Ajax's Antony before the end of the transfer window.

However, it appears that the club will have to wait until the latter stages of the window to potentially sign the pair, with De Jong still pushing to remain at Barcelona and Ajax reluctant to allow Antony to leave.

ID:490719:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5273:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Erik ten Hag

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Game History

How you voted: Man Utd vs Aston Villa

Manchester United
83.3%
Draw
9.0%
Aston Villa
7.7%
78
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag on July 15, 2022
Read Next:
Ten Hag tells Man United board he needs more signings
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!