"We have to deal with this and show resilience" - Ten Hag reacts after Manchester United's 3-0 loss to Tottenham
Erik ten Hag has admitted that Manchester United were subpar in their 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday (September 29). The Red Devils have had a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign, winning just two of their first six league fixtures.
Ten Hag has received substantial criticism for his side's performances so far this season.
Manchester United locked horns with Tottenham at Old Trafford this weekend and the Dutch boss was dealt a disappointing defeat. Brennan Johnson opened the scoring in the third minute before second-half goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke sealed all three points for the Lilywhites.
United now find themselves in 12th place in the league table, six points adrift of the top four, and the Dutch boss' future at the club has come into question.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Ten Hag accepted that his team's display was inadequate as he emphasized the importance of bouncing back from a loss.
The former Ajax manager said (via @UtdDistrict on X):
"First we have to deal with this and show resilience. This is not good enough. We have to accept this and get better. Focus on the next game and do things better than we did today."
Manchester United have had a difficult start to their UEFA Europa League campaign as well, drawing 1-1 against Eredivisie side FC Twente in the opener on September 25.
"It's never a red card" - Bruno Fernandes reacts to being sent off in Manchester United's loss to Tottenham
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes insists that referee Chris Kavanagh made a mistake by sending him off in the Tottenham defeat. The Portuguese midfielder insists that the severity of the foul did not warrant a red card.
During the first half, Fernandes attempted to win the ball from James Maddison. However, he inadvertently slipped during the tackle and his raised boots came into contact with Maddison's shin.
Fernandes was given a straight red card and Manchester United were reduced to ten men before the break. Speaking about the incident with Sky Sports after the game, he said:
"I don't take him as everyone wants to see it. I don't go in with the studs, I take him with my ankle, it's a clear foul but never a red card."
"The contact is not that strong. If he wants to give me a yellow because it's a counter-attack, I agree and I don't know why VAR doesn't call the referee to the screen. For me, it's not a good decision."