Erik ten Hag blames wasteful attackers for Man United’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.
- Man United were abject in the second half as they were beaten by Spurs
- Erik ten Hag’s team missed glorious opportunities in the 2-0 defeat on Saturday
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Erik ten Hag made a frustrated impression after Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Red Devils went down in the capital on Saturday night after Pape Sarr shoved in the opener in the 49th minute, before Lisandro Martinez fired the ball into his own net late on.
United could easily have been ahead at this point with Marcus Rashford denied by Guglielmo Vicario and Bruno Fernandes heading wide from six yards, while Antony curled against the post minutes after Sarr’s goal.
Tottenham also created plenty of chances in the first half, but stepped up more after the break to give new head coach Ange Postecoglou a maiden Premier League win.
It left United to ponder what could have been and Ten Hag, who watched them claim a nervous 1-0 victory over Wolves on Monday, pointed to injured £64m striker Hojlund as a cause for optimism.
Erik ten Hag was dissatisfied with his attackers after they missed opportunities in the 2-0 defeat to the Spurs
Bruno Fernandes was guilty of wasting a glorious first-half chance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
“You saw today that the performance in the first half was very good, but you have to understand that you have to score a goal,” he insisted.
“Because of the significance of the first goal, players must take responsibility. Focus, passion and desire in this moment to keep the overview and score the first goal.
“It’s about faith and we believe these players because of last year. They can score goals.
“But it is clear why we have signed a striker. If all goes well, (Anthony) Martial is on (his) way back, Hojlund is coming, so we have more players who can score goals, but also the players on the field who can score goals.’
Hojlund, who joined from Atalanta in a deal that could reach £72 million, is currently out with a back injury and missed the Spurs clash.
Ten Hag named two goalkeepers on the bench with Harry Maguire out with a minor injury and Brandon Williams and Donny van de Beek also ruled out as the trio’s future was uncertain.
He added: ‘Yesterday in last practice H (Maguire) was out with a little problem. So after September 1 everything can change, but we need players who are in their right mind on our team.
“I won’t say the players you mention aren’t, but it’s also clear they’re looking for something else at the moment.
“But when they are here, they always give their best, every training (session).”
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