Erik ten Hag Laments Costly Mistake as Fulham Beat (2-1) Man United
After the 2-1 loss against Fulham, here’s what Ten Hag said
Manchester United suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Fulham, with manager Erik ten Hag pointing to a crucial error as the deciding factor in the loss.
Fulham’s Calvin Bassey opened the scoring in the 65th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball inside the box to net his first goal for the club.
Despite Harry Maguire’s late equalizer in the 89th minute, Alex Iwobi’s strike in the 97th minute secured a last-gasp victory for Fulham, leaving United stunned.
Ten Hag Criticizes Defensive Error
Speaking after the match, Erik ten Hag expressed frustration at the defensive lapse that led to Fulham’s winning goal.
He highlighted a misplaced player and emphasized the importance of maintaining defensive organization under pressure.
“It was a throw-in [for Fulham] in the corner; we had them under pressure, and we have one player in the wrong position.
“As a team, we should manage that and make sure everyone is in the right position. We let them escape, and it is avoidable.
“The team showed big character to fight back; we deserved the equalizer and went for the win—we showed big personality and character.
“It was that mistake. Before that, we went for the win, and we should have taken our opportunities.“
Praise for Team Character Amidst Setbacks
Despite the defeat, Ten Hag commended his team’s resilience and character, noting their efforts to fight back and push for victory after conceding the late goal.
He emphasized the team’s determination and personality throughout the match.
“The team showed big character to fight back; we deserved the equalizer and went for the win; we showed big personality and character. It was that mistake. Before that, we went for the win, and we should have taken our opportunities.”
Reflecting on Missed Opportunities
Ten Hag acknowledged United’s missed opportunities and lamented their failure to capitalize on chances earlier in the game.
Despite the setback, he remained optimistic about the team’s performance and their ability to bounce back from the defeat.
“We struggled with their influence and their impact on our left side,” admitted Ten Hag.
“But we reacted well, and once we had that, we got more from the game and took control to create the chances.“
“With the squad we had today, we should have won this game. Both halves were slow starts, and we should be ready from the first whistle.
“That’s a point of criticism, but the team showed big character in both halves,” Erik ten Hag concluded.
Historical Context and Statistical Insights
The defeat marked several significant statistics for Manchester United, including their 10+ Premier League losses for the fifth time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
Additionally, their defensive vulnerability was highlighted by conceding 435 shots in the Premier League season, second only to Sheffield United.
Fulham’s victory ended a 16-match winless streak at Old Trafford since October 2003 and marked their first win against Manchester United in any competition since December 2009.
