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Erik ten Hag slams Man United for lack of effort against Tottenham.
Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag slammed his players for not giving their all during Thursday night’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
At halftime, United had the lead thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford—his 29th goal of the year in all competitions—but a laborious and sluggish second half enabled Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min to give Ryan Mason a point in his first matchback as temporary manager.
Not only did United’s inability to hold onto a lead cost them two points for the game, but it also caused them to fall behind Newcastle United in the battle for third place.
The Magpies hold a two-point lead over United, who are now in fourth place with a game remaining after a dominant 4-1 victory against Everton at Goodison Park.
“Some thought 90 per cent was enough,” Ten Hag fumed when probed about United letting Spurs back into the game. “I know they are not robots and fatigue is an issue but you have to give it everything on every occasion. That is the basis.
“We took a bit of the gas off and that was our problem. I think it’s been that for a few games where we are sharp and coming ahead and [haven’t] kept it going.
“We are disappointed – we were 2-0 up. We had the chances to make it 3-1 which we didn’t take. We were not good over the 90 minutes, we did not play brilliant. After half-time, being up 2-0, we had to score another goal.
United’s progress this season has been evident – a Carabao Cup final win and date with Manchester City in the FA Cup final attests to that – but there’s been a number of occasions where the Red Devils have failed to see out positions of strength.
For Ten Hag, it’s pretty simple: United have to manage games better. “We have to manage the game and keep the ball. Not give the ball away so easily, the goal was quite obvious,” the Dutchman continued.
“We have to block the crosses, we have to be proactive and come out and we didn’t squeeze out. It was so easy for them, easy for them to score a goal.
“We need energy and we have to be ready for Sunday (against Aston Villa). But in the end, good draw.”