Erik ten Hag raging after Manchester United players 'take foot off the gas' in Tottenham draw
- Planet Sport writer
- 28 April 2023
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hit out at his players for not giving 100 per cent effort throughout Thursday night's hugely disappointing 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
Erik ten Hag was left fuming with his Manchester United players and accused them of not giving 100 per cent effort throughout Thursday night's hugely disappointing 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, his 29th of the season in all competitions, had put the Red Devils in complete command at half-time. However,a lethargic performance after the break allowed Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min to earn Ryan Mason a point in his first game back as interim Spurs boss.
United's inability to defend a lead didn't just cost them two points on the night, but it also saw them lose ground on Newcastle United in the race for third place. The Magpies thumped struggling Everton 4-1 at Goodison and now have a two-point advantage over United, who sit fourth with a game in hand.
"Some thought 90 per cent was enough," Ten Hag fumed when asked why United letting Tottenham back into the game. "I know they are not robots and fatigue is an issue but you have to give it everything on every occasion. That is the basis.
"We took a bit of the gas off and that was our problem. I think it's been that for a few games where we are sharp and coming ahead and [haven't] kept it going.
"We are disappointed - we were 2-0 up. We had the chances to make it 3-1 which we didn't take. We were not good over the 90 minutes, we did not play brilliant. After half-time, being up 2-0, we had to score another goal.
United's progress under Ten Hag this season is clear for all to see, by the Dutchman remains concerned by the number of times where they have failed to see out positions of strength.
For Ten Hag, it's pretty simple: United have to manage games better. "We have to manage the game and keep the ball. Not give the ball away so easily, the goal was quite obvious," the Dutchman continued.
"We have to block the crosses, we have to be proactive and come out and we didn't squeeze out. It was so easy for them, easy for them to score a goal.
"We need energy and we have to be ready for Sunday [against Aston Villa]. But in the end, good draw."
