Manchester United endured a terrible second half against Tottenham Hotspurs. The Red Devils threw away a two-first-half goal lead scored by Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford to share points with Tottenham on Thursday.
The Red Devils could have moved a points level with third-place Newcastle United with a game in hand with a win over Tottenham. Still, Erik Ten Hag’s side failed to protect their two goal lead in the first half following a terrible second-half display.
Spurs fought back to salvage a point against Manchester United through goals from inevitable Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min in the second half.
Erik Ten Hag has been blamed for his involvement in his side’s collapse in the second half with his substitutions. Ten Hag brought Fred to replace Christain Eriksen to protect the two-goal lead, but the move backfired. Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial were also brought on to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jadon Sancho.
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The Dutch manager had revealed that he saw Tottenham fight back and planned the substitution before Spurs pulled one back.
What did Erik Ten Hag say?
Ten Hag said via BT Sport: “It was the same as before half-time. We lost control, we conceded the goal – you could see it coming, and I had already prepared the subs, but I was a little bit too late.
“Manage the game, keep the ball. We gave so many easy balls away. Have a good defensive organization, which we didn’t always have.
“With the goals [we conceded], it was quite obvious – we didn’t block the crosses, and you have to be proactive there. You have to come out and block the shot.
“With the second [goal] it was a long ball and we didn’t squeeze out, it was so easy for them. They kept coming and it was so easy to score a goal then.”
Reacting to his side throwing away a two-goal lead, he told BBC Sport: “My opinion was that we didn’t play that well. We were not clinical enough, but we scored two times, and then you have to finish the game.
“Of course [Fernandes hitting the bar was frustrating], but don’t blame it on one player. We weren’t clinical enough, and I think we had to score more. The goals we conceded were too easy, and we could have avoided them.
“We came here, as every game, we come to win. It was clear how they managed the game, and we wanted to win, which we didn’t. Before, I think a draw was ok, but when you see this game, you have to get over the line.
“If we win on Sunday [against another top four rival in Aston Villa], that will be a great week but first we have to get there and we need all the energy. Recover, get ready for the game, get the focus and go again.”
