Erik ten Hag: It’s Unacceptable

United boss Erik ten Hag labels their 1-3 defeat to Aston Villa as intolerable and urges his experienced players to take more responsibility going forward

Erik ten Hag labelled Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa as “unacceptable” as Unai Emery enjoyed a dream start to life as Villa boss on Sunday. The Red Devils were unbeaten in nine games before their trip to Birmingham as Ten Hag’s project at Old Trafford was beginning to take shape.

Conceded two early 

But the visitors were blown away in a bright opening from the hosts as Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne struck inside the first 11 minutes. Luke Shaw’s strike deflected off Jacob Ramsey into his own net just before half-time to give United life. But Ramsey restored Villa’s two-goal cushion four minutes into the second half with a cool finish from Ollie Watkins’ cut-back.

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“You have to read the game and get the organisation right. Not concede two goals—that’s totally unnecessary,” said Ten Hag of his side’s start. “It’s not acceptable that you concede a goal so quickly in the second half on the counter-attack. “Our players are experienced. You have to win your battles. It looked like they were fresher. That’s not acceptable. Players have to take responsibility and be ready.” 

United missed the presence of the injured Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Antony, as well as the suspended Bruno Fernandes as defeat leaves them three points adrift of the top four in fifth.

Salah double sinks spurs

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1 on Sunday, returning to winning ways after two consecutive Premier League defeats. Jurgen Klopp’s men dominated the contest from the start and took an early lead when the impressive Darwin Nunez teed up Salah, who fired into the bottom corner. 

The visitors were 2-0 up shortly before half-time when Salah took advantage of a horrendous error by Eric Dier, who headed the ball straight into the path of the Egypt forward. Harry Kane pulled a goal back in the 70th but Spurs could not avoid a third defeat in four league matches. 

Klopp celebrated the win with his trademark air punches in front of the Liverpool fans, enjoying his side’s first away win in the league since May. “I got a bit carried away but it is big, absolutely big,” said the German manager, whose team have been uncharacteristically inconsistent this season. “What we have to show is that we are not punched too hard when we concede a goal. “I like that tonight...We cannot be consistent by just playing all the time outstandingly well. 

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