Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag wants better pressing and finishing from Manchester United after Real Madrid loss
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants the team to press better and be more clinical in front of goal after the loss to Real Madrid at the NRG Stadium.
The Old Trafford side faced Carlo Ancelotti’s team in Houston, Texas, on 27 July. Unfortunately, the Red Devils were on the losing end as Los Blancos scored two goals.
Speaking via Manchester Evening News after the 2-0 loss to the Santiago Bernabeu outfit, Ten Hag implored United to put more pressure on the opposition and take their chances when presented.
“Two things: the pressing can be better from the start and scoring goals. And I think we need more players who are capable to be in the one-on-ones.”
Madrid took the lead with a cool finish from Jude Bellingham, who dinked the ball over Andre Onana. Aljenadro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford had opportunities to get us back on level pegging. However, they were unable to get the better of Andriy Lunin.
The Dutch manager started with the England international in the number nine position. In the previous campaign, he was our leading goalscorer and carried our attack. However, the 25-year-old arguably plays his best football on the left wing.
At around the hour mark, the gaffer called upon Jadon Sancho to replace Rashford. The former Borussia Dortmund star has been playing in the number nine position for us during pre-season.
The 23-year-old scored against Arsenal in our 2-0 win over the Gunner at the MetLife Stadium. However, we evidently cannot go into next season without adding a recognised striker to our ranks.
Anthony Martial is the only natural option at Ten Hag’s disposal at the moment. However, the French national is on the sidelines for now and suffered multiple fitness issues in the previous campaign.
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Hopefully, United will buy the right profile of players who will not only be able to help us score goals but also fit into the Dutch manager’s style of play.
