Manchester United dropped points once again as they managed just a draw against Leeds United. Gnonto gave Leeds an early lead but 2 second-half goals saw the rivals just share a point. Erik Ten Hag is furious with the attitude of his players as they failed to get all 3 points.
ETH on Poor Attitudes:
United managed to hang on in the first half, but a second-half comeback saw them grab 2 quick goals. However, the lack of intensity and focus in the first few minutes saw them concede an early goal, and Erik Ten Hag was furious with his players for that.
Very poor. It’s unacceptable. You start any game, but especially a derby, the way we did. We were down and had to fight back. We made big mistakes. That’s to do with attitude,” Ten Hag told reporters. “We were not ready to go into the duels. We lose the duels and the formation was also bad at the start. When we lost the ball, we didn’t follow the principles and were quickly down. And, from the warning in the first half, the second half was the same.”
“The players know we have to move. It wasn’t necessary [Pascal] Struijk wins the ball there and he had to get away, with our movements we have to force them to stay low. That’s not right. We have to live with it. It still doesn’t mean it has to be a goal. We have to keep Gnonto on the left side and not let him come inside.”
The Dutch manager was also disappointed with his side’s finishing as several chances went begging in the final 20 minutes, with Bayern Munich loanee Marcel Sabitzer among those to come close to scoring a winner. “Alejandro Garnacho, twice, had to score. Marcel Sabitzer twice had good shots, Raphael Varane with the header. I think, if we equalise before half-time, we win the game,” Ten Hag added.
“Also I think, in the last 20 minutes, when it is 2-2, we were composed and you will make chances and we created so many chances. The finishing wasn’t always that good but we created them.”
Manchester United will face Leeds once again as they travel next week to Elland Road. A crucial 3 points are at stake.
