Erik ten Hag slams 'ridiculous' Manchester United stat amid new triple injury question | OneFootball

A frustrated Erik ten Hag dismissed damning statistics highlighting Manchester United’s ongoing defensive issues as “ridiculous” following an agonising last-gasp defeat by Chelsea.

The Red Devils led 3-2 going into second-half stoppage time of Thursday night’s thrilling Premier League classic at Stamford Bridge, after an Alejandro Garnacho brace and captain Bruno Fernandes helped to fight back from 2-0 down to lead following early goals from Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer.

However, Palmer then equalised from the spot after 10 minutes of added time after Diogo Dalot fouled Noni Madueke, with time left for things to get even worse for United as former Manchester City forward Palmer was left unmarked with a deflected effort to seal his hat-trick in the dying seconds and, with the latest winner in Premier League history, condemn Ten Hag’s side to a truly galling defeat.

Thursday’s chaotic affair further highlighted the sizeable problems still facing both managers, with the pressure very much building again on Ten Hag after his team also conceded a 99th-minute equaliser at Brentford on Saturday, having only opened the scoring in the 96th minute themselves.

Much has been made of late of the sheer number of shots being allowed by United in recent months, having shipped the most efforts of any top-flight team in 2024 so far. Indeed, only rock-bottom Sheffield United have given up more across the whole campaign to date.

Chelsea managed a total of 28 shots against United on Thursday, with Ten Hag challenged on those “unsustainable” statistics by TNT Sports after the game.

The dismissive Dutchman replied: “It is ridiculous. We showed we were fourth ranking before this game in goals conceded.

“Everyone is talking each other after, so I can’t do anything with it. We are good. We have good defending as a team.

Pressure building: Erik ten Hag is under fire to turn Manchester United’s fortunes around

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“We have a great goalkeeper as well, we have a good back four. I can do nothing with such stats.”

United’s defensive concerns only escalated further at Stamford Bridge after a struggling Raphael Varane was substituted at half-time for the second game in a row, with his replacement Jonny Evans lasting only 20 minutes before getting hurt and being replaced by academy graduate Willy Kambwala.

Ten Hag is already without the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof ahead of Sunday’s visit of leaders Liverpool to Old Trafford and with an FA Cup semi-final against Coventry looming at Wembley this month, while Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are among the club’s other injury absentees.

Midfielder Casemiro was also taken off with a knock against Chelsea, replaced by Scott McTominay with 15 minutes to play.

Asked if Varane and Evans would now miss the Liverpool game, Ten Hag replied: “I can’t say in this moment.”

Pressed again if those latest injuries looked serious, he said: “As I say, I can’t say that so quick after the game.”

In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag added of those newest setbacks: “That doesn't help in such moments if you have to manage the game, [it helps] that there are leaders on the pitch.

"Also Casemiro we have to take off. That doesn't help.