After the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, here’s what Ten Hag said about Martial & Hojlund

Manchester United’s coach, Erik ten Hag, offered reflections on his strikers in the aftermath of the team’s heavy 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

The defeat marked a series of unfortunate records for the club, including more home losses in the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement than during his entire 21-season tenure.

Striker Dynamics: Hojlund and Martial

Manchester United had signed Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta to address the injury crisis faced by Anthony Martial.

However, as the season progressed, Hojlund struggled to find the back of the net in league games, tallying zero goals in 12 appearances, while Martial managed only one.

Notably, Hojlund enjoyed a perfect start to the UEFA Champions League season, scoring 5 goals in 5 games.

Unwanted Records and Bournemouth’s Historic Win

The Saturday match against Bournemouth saw Manchester United set unwanted records, including their first-ever Premier League home loss by 3+ goals against a team in the bottom half of the table.

Bournemouth secured their victory with goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing, and Marcos Senesi, marking their first-ever win at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag’s Assessment: Martial and Hojlund

After the 3-0 loss, Erik ten Hag commented on Anthony Martial’s starting position, mentioning the need to give Rasmus Hojlund opportunities.

He acknowledged Martial’s abilities but emphasized the collective failure of the team.

Ten Hag addressed broader issues, emphasizing the importance of consistent performance and acknowledging fan frustration.

Ten Hag stated, “Rasmus Hojlund played a lot of games, many games to play as well, but also to give Martial the opportunity.”

Regarding Anthony Martial’s performance, he added, “He has absolutely the ability to play; it is not fair after this performance to go to one player. We failed as a group altogether.”

He further spoke on the team’s overall performance, saying, “You have to be at your best in every game, starting with focus. When you start like we did, you get killed. They are good opponents, but we have to do better.”

Regarding boos and empty seats, Ten Hag acknowledged fan disappointment, stating, “I understand they are disappointed and frustrated. We all are, but we should do better, and we have to show it every game—not to have so big levels from one game to another.”

Looking Ahead to the Bayern Munich Clash

As Manchester United gears up to take on Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, coach Erik ten Hag exudes confidence in the team’s capabilities, encouraging them to shake off the recent setback.

This upcoming match is crucial for Manchester United; a victory is imperative for their qualification into the round of 16. The scenario also hinges on a draw between Galatasaray and Copenhagen, both currently holding 5 points each.

Manchester United find themselves at the bottom of the Group A standings with 4 points, making every moment of the upcoming clash pivotal for their advancement.

The focus now shifts to redemption as Manchester United aims to bounce back from the Bournemouth defeat, needing a victory against Bayern Munich to secure their place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. The coach, players, and fans alike are hopeful for a stronger performance, leaving the disappointing loss firmly behind them.