Erik ten Hag praises Man United’s efforts in abysmal loss to Arsenal | OneFootball

Manchester United crashed to yet another home defeat as they fell 0-1 to league leaders Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Despite a somewhat promising start, United found themselves a goal down halfway through the first half, after being sliced open for what feels the thousandth time this season.

The Red Devils did huff and puff in the Manchester rain but they never really looked like finding an all-important equaliser.

Speaking to beIN SPORTS after the game, Erik ten Hag once again failed to realise how far his team is behind the cream of the Premier League.

For what feels like the umpteenth time in this campaign Ten Hag seemingly watched a different game from the rest of us.

“We have seen, we were very competitive with Arsenal, one of the best teams in the league with City and the momentum, fighting for the league. We have seen we were on the same level across the game.”

The United coach then blamed his team’s scarcely believable injury crisis and claimed this positive performance was also in the context of his side “missing seven out of eleven potentially starting players”.

Despite the shambolic defending by Casemiro for Arsenal’s winner, Ten Hag defended his player, shockingly stating the Brazilian showed his ability to play at centre back in this game.

“He can do that. Monday night was not his night but it was a collectively poor performance. He can play there and today he was at the right level. He’s a winner. He hates to lose, he needs to bring that to the team and that is what we expect of him.”

Looking ahead to the next game, the former Ajax coach claimed, “I want to have the same attitude, that is what we have to learn from the lesson of Palace. We need always to have the spirit we had today. The players took responsibility, that is what we expect of them in every game.”

Whilst the performance was an improvement from Monday night’s mauling, this should not be an acceptable showing by a United side at Old Trafford.

Yes, there are numerous injuries and yes they were playing a very strong Arsenal side. But whilst the manager continues to spread such false statements to the fanbase, it does nothing but damage his already torn to pieces credibility.

With two games remaining, European football looks a distant dream at this stage as the challenges of Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion still stand on the horizon.

First up is the Magpies on Wednesday night in a game that could finish off the Red Devils’ chances of reaching the Europa League via the Premier League for good.

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