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Ten Hag expresses frustration as Manchester United suffers defeat at Forest, marking their worst start in 93 years.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United saga took a dramatic turn with a disheartening 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest, marking the club’s worst start since 1930.
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In the aftermath, Ten Hag didn’t hold back, unleashing scathing criticism on his players for a lackluster performance he deemed “disappointing,” “unnecessary,” and “not energized enough.”
The Red Devils, grappling with injuries and inconsistency, appeared a mere shadow of their potential, managing only a solitary shot in a lackluster first half. Ten Hag’s frustration became palpable as Forest took the lead through Dominguez, though Rashford briefly offered hope with his third goal of the season. Yet, Gibbs-White’s late strike shattered United’s fragile hopes, sealing their fourth defeat in six games and leaving them nine points adrift of the top four.
“The loss was unnecessary. We lost it in the first half,” declared a visibly angered Ten Hag. “We should invest more, create moments, and we didn’t. These results are below our standards. The players are not happy, but we have to do better.”
United’s current plight is alarming, having lost nine of their opening 20 league games for the first time since 1989-90. With 14 defeats in all competitions already, they are on track to surpass their 1930-31 record for most losses by the New Year. Finishing 2023 with 21 defeats across all competitions is a damning statistic, highlighting their alarming decline. Ten Hag pointed towards injuries as a mitigating factor, but his explanation rang hollow in light of the team’s repeated inconsistency and lack of fighting spirit.
“We had to change again, swap our team, and it explains why we are so inconsistent,” he conceded, acknowledging the disruptive impact of constant personnel shuffling. “We had nine different partnerships in the back. The fans don’t want to hear this; they want results, and that is what we have to deliver.”
The arrival of Dave Brailsford, INEOS’s head of sport, added another layer of scrutiny to United’s misery. Watching the team’s struggles from the stands alongside club legend Sir Alex Ferguson, Brailsford was likely left with a stark picture of the work needed under INEOS’s new leadership.
Despite the pressure and growing calls for his sacking, Ten Hag remains defiant, clinging to the promise of a brighter future. “We will work together to set high targets and structures,” he declared. “It will happen. No doubt about that.” Stay tuned as the drama unfolds at Old Trafford.
