“This is not the standard of top football” - Erik ten Hag laments Manchester United display after pre-season friendly loss to Rosenborg
Erik ten Hag slammed his Manchester United players after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Norweigan outfit Rosenborg BK in their first pre-season friendly. The Red Devils were deservedly beaten at Lerkendal Stadion in Norway on Monday (July 15)
Ten Hag was frustrated with his team's performance and let them know it after the game. He said (via transfer expert Fabrizio Romano):
"The result is not secondary. Our performance as a team is by far not good enough. This is not the standard of top football. We are Man Utd, we should perform better."
Ten Hag was without most of his first-team regulars, who had represented their nations at Euro 2024 and Copa America. The Dutch coach did have Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Mason Mount, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka available.
Rosenborg scored the winner with the very last kick of the game through Norweigan forward Noah Emmanuel Jean Holm (90+3'). That was the hosts' 22nd shot of the game, putting Manchester United to shame as they only managed five.
There was a silver lining for the Red Devils as Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek put in an impressive performance. The 20-year-old made seven saves, and if it weren't for him, the scoreline could have been worse.
Manchester United will look to bounce back when they face Scottish Premiership giants Rangers on Saturday (July 20). That game occurs at Murrayfield Stadium in Scotland before Ten Hag's troops head to the United States for their pre-season tour.
Radek Vitek on his performance and Manchester United's defeat to Rosenborg
Vitek was a minor positive in a disappointing evening for Manchester United in Norway. The 6ft4in goalkeeper gave an honest assessment of the game and his outing when speaking to MUTV:
"I'm happy with some saves, but only victory counts in the end."
Vitek spent last season on loan at EFL League Two outfit Accrington Stanley. He made 18 appearances across competitions, keeping four clean sheets.
The Czech shot-stopper has yet to appear for the Red Devils at senior level but has played for the U18s and U21s. He's made 22 appearances for the latter, keeping one clean sheet.
Vitek could challenge for a spot in Ten Hag's senior team at Old Trafford next season. Andre Onana is the Dutchman's No.1, but speculation is growing over backup Altay Bayindir's future after a lack of game time last season. He was linked with Celtic earlier this summer, but those links have gone cold.