"I denied that game" - Erik ten Hag explains why he totally ignores Manchester United's 3-0 loss to Tottenham
Erik ten Hag has said that he does not consider the 3-0 loss to Tottenham this season as Manchester United were reduced to 10 men in an 'unfair' manner. The manager claimed that the red card to Bruno Fernandes changed the whole game despite them being 1-0 down at the time of the sending-off.
The United manager was speaking to the media after the 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce at the Europa League on Thursday (October 24). He admitted that the first half against the Spurs was tough but he believed in his team's resilience. Ten Hag said (via bbc.com):
"I denied that game. I ignore that game against Spurs because we were downsized to 10 and the red card was overturned. It is not a fair assessment of the team to take this into consideration because we didn't have the chance to bounce back. Of course, it was a tough first half, but in that period is also remember some very good chances. But you see this team is resilient and determined."
Fernandes saw his red card against Tottenham overturned but got himself sent off days later against FC Porto at the Europa League. The Dutchman insisted that he didn't think too much about the sending-off and stated that his club captain did not have a disciplinary issue. He said:
"The [red] card [against Spurs] is overturned for Bruno. So they acknowledge there was a mistake on Sunday and I would say he was very unlucky against Porto. He gave everything to make a goal. He was in the right spot, and the player came from the blind side and he didn't see him. So I wouldn't address it as undisciplined."
Manchester United are winless in the Europa League this season, having drawn all three matches so far. They sit 21st in the UEFA Europa League table, while struggling at 12th in the Premier League table with three wins from eight games.
Manchester United struggling because of injuries, claims Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag has insisted that injuries are the main reason for Manchester United's struggles this season. He believes that the players being unavailable often is not letting him get his tactics right. On this, he said in the aforementioned press conference:
"Yes, it holds us back in our levels and also in our position in the league. When you don't have the players available, you can't line up the best team. We need more players available often. We all have to work together on this point - the players, the coaching staff and all the other staff. We have to do better at that because we know when we have them we are a really tough team to play and we can be really successful."
Manchester United face West Ham United in the league on Sunday (October 27) before facing Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on October 30. They host Chelsea in the league next weekend after the Blues face Newcastle United twice in four days.