Erik ten Hag, the Ajax manager, has criticized Manchester United’s performance during their humiliating 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, describing it as “unprofessional.” Manchester United suffered their heaviest defeat in the Premier League in almost a decade at Anfield, with the Red Devils now facing a growing crisis. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team looked helpless against the Jurgen Klopp’s dominant Reds side, with their performance leading to a blistering attack from Ten Hag.
The Dutchman believes that Manchester United’s performance in the game was unacceptable at the highest level of competitive football. Ten Hag criticized the attitude of the Manchester United players, stating that they were not focused on playing the game, which led to a loss of defensive shape, discipline, and direction. The Ajax manager noted how the Manchester United players were not working as a team, and their poor decision making made them vulnerable and put the team under immense pressure.
Ten Hag also blamed the club’s management for a lack of progress in recent years, stating that not investing in top-tier players was going to have a significant impact on their performance. He suggested that United needed to make more significant investments in talent in the upcoming transfer windows to ensure they can play at the highest level necessary to win titles.
The Ajax manager said that what Manchester United experienced during their 5-0 debacle was not a new thing, as it had happened to them in the past. Ten Hag suggested that United’s performance was a reflection of a problem in the club’s culture and that this type of result was not simply a one-off. The Dutchman noted how there was a real lack of leadership within the team and how the players lacked the mental toughness and resilience to fight back from such a crushing defeat.
Ten Hag’s statement may come as a surprise to some fans, as the Ajax manager coached Donny van de Beek, who moved to Manchester United in 2020. However, the Ajax manager claims that the defeat was not just an indictment of the Manchester United players but also the failure of coaching methods employed by the technical staff.
Ten Hag said that it was unfortunate that Manchester United could not show any character or resilience during their humiliating defeat, and was disappointed that the game ended up as a massacre. The Ajax coach argued that coaches should be responsible for preparing their teams for games and that quality should be evident throughout their performances. Manchester United, according to Ten Hag, lacked a plan, ideas and showed no desire to compete.
In conclusion, Erik ten Hag’s comments about Manchester United’s performance during their 5-0 loss to Liverpool are blunt, honest, and to the point. While some may see it as a criticism of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it is clear that the Ajax manager is frustrated with Manchester United’s lack of progress in recent years. Ten Hag’s view is that Manchester United’s deficiencies run deep, and both players and coaches are responsible for the team’s current state. He also calls for serious talent investment in upcoming transfer windows, which looking at the club’s long-standing tradition of recruiting world-beating superstars, this could be a potential solution for them.
Manchester United need to take Erik ten Hag’s comments seriously and focus on improving their attitude and commitment to playing. They are also going to have to face some hard truths about their inability to compete at the highest level and take action where necessary to regain their competitive edge. Until such time, the club may continue to play poorly, and it will be a difficult road back to success.