"That is the problem" - Erik ten Hag details key issue at Manchester United after Twente draw
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag talked about the problem plaguing his side after their draw against FC Twente in their UEFA Europa League opener. The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by the Dutch outfit at Old Trafford on Wednesday, September 25.
Ten Hag's side were rewarded for defeating Manchester City 2-1 in the 2023-24 FA Cup final with qualification for the UEFA Europa League. This came after they finished eighth in the Premier League, missing out on a place in Europe.
Erik ten Hag managed the Red Devils in their first game of the revamped league phase of the Europa League, but saw his side pick up just one point. The former Ajax manager spoke with the media after the game, pointing out that his side's lack of goals let them down. He said (via @FabrizioRomano):
"We have to score more goals. That is the problem, the key area is to score more goals as a team. We have players across the team who have the ability to score, that is clear.”
The manager opted to stick with Joshua Zirkzee up front despite the return to fitness of Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund. He also restored Marcus Rashford to the starting XI after his substitute appearance against Crystal Palace at the weekend, with Alejandro Garnacho dropping out of the XI.
The Red Devils recorded 19 shots in the game, with only five being on target. They failed to create any big chances in the game, and generated an xG tally of 1.37. They have now scored just once in their last two games, after putting seven past Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
Poor Erik ten Hag record comes to light after Manchester United draw against Twente
Manchester United dropped points in their Europa League opener against FC Twente, with Sam Lammers' second half strike cancelling out Christian Eriksen's opener. The Red Devils failed to win their first game of a European campaign for the fourth season in succession.
Erik ten Hag took over the club in 2022 and has now recorded just one win in his last nine European games as Manchester United manager. The Dutch manager has lost five times, while drawing on three other occasions.
The manager saw his Manchester United side finish bottom of the pile in the UEFA Champions League group stage in the 2023-24 season with just four points. They crashed out at the quarterfinal stage in the Europa League in the previous season at the hands of Spanish outfit Sevilla, losing 5-2 on aggregate.
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