Worrying stat from Manchester United loss to Rosenborg in pre-season comes to light after Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Mason Mount feature
Manchester United conceded 22 shots during the 1-0 defeat to Rosenborg in their pre-season game on Monday, July 15. Noah Holm scored a 93rd-minute winner for the Norwegian side.
Erik ten Hag had named senior players like Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, Mason Mount, and more in the first XI. While Ten Hag took them all off at halftime, United were expected to perform better against Rosenborg. The performance, though, was reminiscent of how the Red Devils played last season, conceding 20 or more shots on target on more than 15 occasions.
United finished eighth in the Premier League last season, their worst of the PL era. However, Ten Hag was kept in charge after leading the team to an FA Cup win. The Dutch manager, though, might need to show a much-improved campaign this term to keep his position at the helm.
The defeat against Rosenborg, meanwhile, was far from an encouraging sign. Manchester United are yet to have key players return from international duties as many of them represented their respective countries at Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024.
Erik ten Hag reflects on Manchester United's performance in pre-season game against Rosenborg
Erik ten Hag was far from happy with Manchester United's performance against Rosenborg. He acknowledged that the showing was just not good enough from his team.
Ten Hag reminded that United are expected to keep up a standard, even if it's a pre-season game, which his team failed to do against Rosenborg. He told the club's media after the game (via SportBIBLE):
"The performance is important. The performance was below standard."
Ten Hag added:
"I have seen this is not the standard for top football. Top football, you have to achieve much higher standards. It starts with any individual, make sure you are fit."
Young Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek's display is perhaps one of the few positive points Ten Hag would be able to take away from the Rosenborg game. Vitek made six saves against Rosenborg, showcasing his ability at 20 years of age.