Erik ten Hag slams Manchester United’s ‘poor performance’ against Borussia Dortmund

LAS VEGAS – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag lambasted his team’s “annoying” last 30 minutes and defensive lapses in their 3-2 defeat by Borussia Dortmund as the English Premier League giants wrapped up their North American tour on Sunday in Las Vegas.

The Dutchman, 53, told MUTV: “Two parts. The first hour was good, performed well, playing as a team, a lot of dynamism, good pressing, so it was really enjoyable to see and that is what I wanted to say to the team at half-time.

“And then all of sudden, they gave away two goals – and they were really giveaways! So that was already annoying.

“But the last half an hour, that was bad. That was a poor performance. Didn’t follow the rules at all. Not in pressing, not in building up and not in attacking. So there were 11 individuals on the pitch and that wasn’t good at all.”

A second-half strike by Dortmund substitute Youssoufa Moukoko proved the difference in an entertaining clash at the Allegiant Stadium.

Ten Hag named a virtual reserve team to start, leaving the likes of Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and new signings Mason Mount and Andre Onana on the bench. Yet, United’s makeshift starting XI were more than a match for Dortmund in the first half, dominating for long periods before Diogo Dalot handed the Red Devils the lead on 24 minutes with a long-range strike.

But Dortmund turned the game on its head in the closing minutes of the first half, with two goals in a minute from Dutch international forward Donyell Malen. The first came when United’s defence failed to close down Karim Adeyemi’s burst down the right.

Despite the attention of several United defenders, Adeyemi was able to square for Malen, who hooked in from close range. Malen grabbed his second a minute later, this time seizing on a United howler when Victor Lindelof lost possession inside the area trying to pass out from the back.

United were lucky not to go 3-1 down in the opening minutes of the second half, when another defensive slip, this time by Harry Maguire, allowed Sebastien Haller a shot on goal.

United goalkeeper Onana saved and then watched in relief as Adeyemi blasted the follow-up wide with the goal gaping. The Cameroonian proceeded to berate the former Red Devils skipper.

United did get back on level terms in the 52nd minute, when Brazilian winger Antony swept home a low shot from inside the area after a botched clearance by Dortmund veteran Mats Hummels.

Ten Hag rang in the changes with 30 minutes remaining, with Rashford instantly providing more of an attacking threat. But it was Dortmund who scored the decisive goal, with veteran Marco Reus working a clever opening to set up Moukoko for the winner.

Said ten Hag: “We have to keep the control and keep the responsibility on the ball. And it was the same for the 3-2 goal for Dortmund. So that can’t happen. It’s unforgivable, even if it’s a friendly...

“You see only 60 minutes where I was pleased with it – but not with the goals we conceded, because that was really poor. First one really poor defending and the second one really poor in building up. That is not us.

“We have to perform no matter what. And then you have to be ruthless and win games because we are Man United and the fans expect wins from us.”

After the match, United midfielder Christian Eriksen was asked about Denmark teammate Rasmus Hojlund, who looks set to join the Red Devils.

“He’s developed a lot in the last year from when I first saw him with the national team. Now he’s a strong No. 9,” Eriksen said of the 20-year-old striker.

Meanwhile, United announced a new 10-year deal with sportswear giant Adidas on Monday. The deal, worth a minimum £900 million (S$1.54 billion) according to the BBC, would focus substantially on the United women’s team. AFP