Ten Hag frustrated by costly mistake in Man United’s European tie against Twente

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Erik ten Hag was critical of Manchester United’s mistakes after a costly error from Christian Eriksen condemned the team to a 1-1 draw with FC Twente in their Europa League opening match on Wednesday.

Eriksen gave United the lead with a shot in the 35th minute, but the Danish midfielder gifted Twente a second-half equaliser at Old Trafford.

Sam Lammers took the ball from Eriksen, who had made a risky turn under pressure, and shot past Andre Onana in the 68th minute.

United coach Ten Hag did not want to name Eriksen individually, but instead stressed that the entire team must take responsibility for their failure to maintain the lead.

“We kept them alive, 1-0 ahead. To control the game you have to be consistent and keep going. In the second half we let up and gave away the goal,” said Ten Hag.

“We didn’t finish it, we had to go for the second goal and that’s how they stay alive and we get punished for a mistake of our own.”

When asked about Eriksen’s mistake, Ten Hag added: “The goal was a team error. A Twente player can dribble across the pitch without stopping. We can’t give away a goal like that.”

“We saw once again that you have to hold out for the whole game. Once you’re 1-0 up, you have to keep going and aim for the second goal. It’s the first game, it’s very important to win.”

Ten Hag spent a total of 23 years at Twente, three of them as a player and then in various coaching roles. On the eve of the game he said: “It’s not nice to have to hurt something you love.”

Instead, it was the Eredivisie team that caused the inconvenience, with another inconsistent performance from United helping them immediately after their disappointing goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Eriksen questioned whether United were playing with enough enthusiasm after their poor run in European competitions had extended to one win in nine games.

“I think we were mostly disappointed as a team. We wanted more at the end, but that was nowhere near good enough. They looked like they wanted more, that can’t be,” said Eriksen.

“I think everyone is looking at themselves. Everyone is a professional footballer, they know what to do and what must not happen. We are not losing, but it feels like a defeat.”

After United finished bottom of their Champions League group with just one win last season, it was another daunting start to European action for the team.

Ten Hag’s stuttering side are back in action at Old Trafford on Sunday, against Tottenham.

They will next face Porto in the revamped first phase of the Europa League before facing Fenerbahce, coached by their former head coach Jose Mourinho.