Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says tactics were thrown ‘in the bin’ after Brentford thrashing
- Seb Sternik
- 13 August 2022
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag blamed individual errors rather than his tactics as his side suffered a calamitous 4-0 defeat against Brentford.
The result sees United slump to the bottom of the table as Ten Hag became the first manager of the club since 1921 to lose his first two games in charge.
The Red Devils went 4-0 behind after 35 minutes as goalkeeper David De Gea gifted the first two to Josh Dasilva and Mathias Jensen.
Ben Mee helped himself to a third and Bryan Mbeumo hit a slick fourth on a chastening afternoon for the visitors.
Speaking after the match, the Dutchman said: "For one, Brentford were more hungry, and two, we conceded goals with individual mistakes.
"You can have a good plan, but then you put the plan in the bin.
"I think it's nothing to do with tactics. The first two goals are about dealing with the ball and decisions.
"I think they follow my instructions but they make bad decisions. This is football, it's a game of mistakes and we got punished.
"When the results are like this I can imagine (how the fans) are feeling. It's no good that we show that clearly, and we have to change that. We need more hunger on the pitch as a team and individuals."
De Gea let Dasilva's long-range shot slip through his fingers for the opening goal and five minutes later, in trying to play out of defence as Ten Hag demands, allowed Jensen to snaffle the second.
🚨 FT: Brentford 4-0 Manchester United
— Planet Sport (@PlanetSportcom) August 13, 2022
😬 Look on the bright side United fans - at least you kept a clean sheet in the second half... pic.twitter.com/2xIlZkbpnO
"He didn't have to release the ball there because we gave options and the players have to choose," insisted Ten Hag. "We said 'invite them and play long'.
"I'm confident that he can do it - and on the second goal, OK. He showed already in training and in the first games he can do that.
"I don't want to play from the back when it's not possible. It was naive how we played today. You have to play more direct. It's clear at this level that's not the standard we want to act."
