Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag adamant that the derby was even until the penalty changed the momentum
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag conveyed his disappointment at the derby match result after the penalty changed the game. United lost the Premier League game against their local rivals Manchester City 0-3 at Old Trafford.
The Citizens dominated the game with a total of 10 shots on target compared to the Red Devils’ three. Furthermore, the visitors kept 61% of the possession as United struggled to hold dominance and relied on counter-attacks.
The Blue side of Manchester took the lead through Erling Haaland’s penalty in the first half. Rasmus Hojlund grabbed hold of City’s Rodri during a set-piece which the referee deemed a foul after a VAR review.
Ten Hag spoke to the media (Manchester United’s official site) after Sunday’s Manchester derby to voice his disappointment. He said:
“Of course, it’s disappointing. Last year, we had many highlights but so far, not now, and when you lose the derby and the way you lose, it’s disappointing. In the first half, we had a very good game-plan and the execution of the game-plan was also good. It was toe-to-toe in the first half but the penalty changed the moment; in the second half, we chose to become more offensive but it was 2-0 too quickly and, from then on, it was a difficult game.”
The Manchester derby loss is the seventh loss for United out of 14 matches in all competitions this season. The loss also broke the slight momentum the Red Devils had gained after three consecutive victories.
Ten Hag may feel that the penalty shifted the momentum and his grievances hold some weight. The referee made a very soft penalty decision within the first few seconds of the game.
Nonetheless, their bitter rivals outclassed the Red Devils in possession for most of the match.
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Andre Onana’s performance was the only positive as the goalkeeper kept the team in competition with some good saves. Ten Hag faced jeers from the Old Trafford loyalists in the 73rd minute when he substituted Hojlund for Alejandro Garnacho.
The Red Devils face Newcastle United at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup round of 16 next. The United manager needs to put the disappointment of the derby loss behind them and focus on what lies ahead.
