Erik ten Hag urged his critics to evaluate Manchester United at the end of the season and pointed to their last-gasp draw at Porto tonight as evidence his players have a “strong spirit”.
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund put United in the driving seat at the Estadio do Dragao but familiar defensive frailties were again in evidence as Pepe brought Porto back into the game before a brace from the hugely impressive Samu Omorodion saw the hosts lead 3-2.
On a chaotic evening, captain Bruno Fernandes was sent-off for the second time in four days – although his red card against Tottenham at the weekend was later rescinded on appeal – before substitute Harry Maguire headed in a corner late on to give United a point.
Ten Hag told TNT Sports: “We started the game very good, we dominated, scored two goals then we lost control. The start was good, the middle was not good then we finished very good. It’s a tough place to go, we’re coming back from 3-2 and get the equaliser. The team has a strong character, but the middle part we have to improve.
“We need to be better on the ball, keep switching. We had good players, a good plan. We have to defend better. We had three clean sheets not a long time ago so we can defend very good, but we have to go back to those habits.”
“Don’t judge us in this moment, wait until the end of the season. We’re in a process.”
Erik ten Hag has full belief in his squad moving forward 💪
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 3, 2024
Ten Hag requests more time
This week was billed as make-or-break for Ten Hag with tonight’s game followed by an equally difficult-looking trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Maguire may have given him some breathing space but the Dutchman insists now is not the time to draw conclusions.
He added: “We will get there. Don’t judge us in this moment, judge us at the end of the season. We are in the process, we will improve. We have had two seasons where we have reached finals, we will continue and fight.
“You see the spirit and the connection between the staff and the team. The players are together, they have a strong spirit and they want to achieve. We have a good mentality but in some defending parts we have to step up.”
Rashford was taken off at half-time after an excellent 45 minutes when he looked back to his dangerous best.
It was assumed he had sustained an injury but Ten Hag explained he was simply trying to keep the forward fresh for the weekend.
“We have to rotate. Garnacho, we didn’t start him, but he had a great game not only Sunday but the whole season. We go quickly with a turnaround to Villa and they have had a day longer to recover and we have an away game.”
Erik ten Hag confirms that Marcus Rashford was substituted at half-time due to ‘rotation’ and not an injury worry.
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 3, 2024
Maguire admits United’s defence needs to step up
Goal hero Maguire admitted United’s defensive weaknesses had to be addressed.
He told TNT Sports: “When you get 2-0 up away from home you have to be a little bit more solid and there were far too many gaps. Too many crosses were coming into the box for sure and they ultimately punished us for it.
“It’s something we need to focus on, it’s happening far too many times. Every time you concede you have to reset and go back to the game plan which got us in the lead. It’s something we need to improve. If we want to be successful this season we can’t keep conceding two goals.”
Maguire knows what it’s like to be criticised for his performances but the defender, who was today left out of the England squad, said it was all part of playing for a club like United.
He added: “I’ve played for this club for six years, I know how it works. When you go on a bad spell players come under pressure and also the manager does. He’s experienced enough and been at this club long enough so I’m sure he knows how to deal with it.
“It’s part of the privilege you have playing for this club.”
