Erik ten Hag, the head coach of Ajax Amsterdam, took a swipe at Manchester United recently for how they reacted to their heavy defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Ten Hag criticized Manchester United for being “unprofessional” in their response to the loss.
Manchester United were thrashed 5-0 by Liverpool at Old Trafford and it was a performance to forget for the Red Devils. The game was over before it started, with Liverpool scoring two goals in the first 13 minutes before adding three more in the second half. It was United’s biggest home defeat in the Premier League era and a real embarrassment for the club.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke to the media and apologized to the fans for the performance. He said that the result was unacceptable and that the team was not good enough on the day.
Ten Hag was not impressed with Solskjaer’s response and felt that Manchester United should have handled the situation differently. He said that it was unprofessional for Solskjaer to apologize to the fans and that he should have kept his emotions in check.
Moreover, Ten Hag went on to criticise Solskjaer’s tactical decisions, stating that the United manager should have known that his team would have a tough time against Liverpool. He also suggested that Solskjaer’s team selection was not the best, and that he should have made changes during the game.
While it may be true that Manchester United were outclassed on the day, Ten Hag’s criticism seems a little harsh. After all, it’s not uncommon for managers to apologize to the fans after a heavy defeat. It shows that they care about the club and that they are willing to take responsibility for their team’s performance.
Moreover, Solskjaer’s tactical decisions and team selection were not the only reasons why Manchester United lost to Liverpool. The Reds were simply a better team on the day and played with more intensity and purpose.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Ten Hag’s comments may have been made with an ulterior motive. Ajax Amsterdam are set to face Manchester United in the Champions League later this month and Ten Hag may be trying to destabilize the Red Devils with his comments.
It’s not uncommon for managers to try and gain a psychological advantage over their opponents before a big match, and Ten Hag’s comments could be seen as an attempt to rattle Manchester United before they face Ajax Amsterdam in Europe.
While Ten Hag is entitled to his opinion, it’s important to remember that he is not the manager of Manchester United and may not have full knowledge of the situation at the club. Solskjaer has been in charge at Old Trafford for three years and has a better understanding of his team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Additionally, Solskjaer has had a lot of success at the club and has taken Manchester United back to the top of domestic and European football. It’s important not to forget this and to give the Norwegian coach the respect he deserves.
In conclusion, Erik ten Hag’s comments about Manchester United were perhaps a little unhelpful and harsh. While it’s understandable to criticize a team after a poor performance, Solskjaer has earned the right to be given the benefit of the doubt.
Manchester United have a very good team and will surely bounce back from their defeat to Liverpool. Their fans will be looking forward to seeing their team compete in the Champions League once again and will be hoping that they can overcome Ajax Amsterdam and progress to the knockout stages of the competition.
Ultimately, it’s important for coaches to focus on their own teams and not concern themselves with the affairs of other clubs. While it’s easy to criticize others, it’s much harder to build a successful team and win major trophies. Solskjaer has shown he has the ability to do this and will no doubt continue to take Manchester United forward.