Man Utd fans say ‘this is a tough watch’ as Ten Hag claims he ‘feels sorry’ for journalist in awkward interview
ERIK TEN HAG had an awkward exchange with a reporter during his post-match press conference on Sunday.
Ten Hag gave a defiant response when questioned about his side’s mistakes during Man Utd’s 3-0 home thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
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United were taught a lesson by Arne Slot‘s side, struggling to get any foothold in the game and looking well off the pace in their own back yard.
And when one journalist quizzed Ten Hag on if his coaching was to blame for the performance, the pair got into a heated back and forth.
The Mail’s Ian Ladyman asked: “What makes you confident that it’s the players that are the problem and not your coaching?”.
Ten Hag didn’t seem to take well to Ladyman questioning his coaching abilities and hit back by asking the reporter to explain to him what mistakes he could see.
The Dutchman said: “So what do you mean? Tell me. Explain to me. Maybe you can explain to me which mistakes we made regularly?”.
Ladyman didn’t back down either, doubling down on his question and highlighting Man Utd‘s shortcomings.
He replied: “Well, constantly turning the ball over in your own half, playing the ball out from the back [and] getting mugged and chances coming off the back of it.
“Counter attacks where you’re outnumbered, giving up endless chances in your own stadium against a team that are your biggest rivals.”
Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Tom Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
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Ten Hag appeared to laugh off some of the suggestions and instead pointed towards his trophy record at Old Trafford as proof that he is the right man for the job.
He said: “Are you sure? I don’t think so. Otherwise you wouldn’t win trophies as we did and beat big opponents. I’m sorry for you.”
Adding: “I think we won, after Man City, the most trophies in English football. So I’m sorry for you.”
Fans couldn’t believe the feisty back and forth and took to social media to react.
One wrote: “Just seen this, really like Erik but this was a tough watch.”
While another added: “Ten Hag is always waffling”.
And a third slammed: “He’s in denial”.
All was well after the press conference however, as Ladyman took to social media to clear up the interaction.
Posting on X, he wrote: “Robust exchange between myself and Erik ten Hag yesterday. All fair and respectful.”
Ten hag finds himself under mounting pressure after narrowly avoiding the sack this summer.
The Dutchman has lost two of his first three Premier League games this season, leaving United 14th in the league table.
Fans have been voicing their opinions online and in the stadium, while – most importantly – Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to be running out getting frustrated.
The billionaire boss had his head in his hands watching on from the stands on Sunday.