Manchester United Players Disobey Ten Hag’s Pre-Match Message
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag had made it clear before the game that his players should not wallow in self-pity during their current poor form. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and moving forward. However, it seems his message was not heeded, and it had consequences during the match against Newcastle.
Shortly before Lewis Hall scored Newcastle’s second goal, the visitors won a free-kick in their own half after a foul on Paul Dummett. Instead of preparing to defend, more than half of the United team started protesting the decision to the referee. This momentary lapse in concentration allowed Newcastle to take a quick free-kick and led to Hall’s goal from the edge of the box, doubling their lead.
Ten Hag would have been disappointed that his players didn’t heed his advice to stay focused and not let unfavorable situations affect their performance. The match ended in a 3-0 defeat for Manchester United, and Ten Hag took personal responsibility for the poor performance, apologizing to the fans and emphasizing the need to raise their standards quickly for the next game.
It was a frustrating outcome for United, who had endured a challenging start to the season, losing eight of their first 15 matches in all competitions. The pressure on the manager continues to mount, and the need for a turnaround in results is evident.