Erik ten Hag Criticizes Manchester United’s Inability to Close Out Games After Heartbreaking Defeat to Chelsea

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed frustration and disappointment after his team suffered another stunning collapse in a late 4-3 defeat away to Chelsea on Thursday.

Despite initially falling behind by two goals, United managed to stage a remarkable comeback to level the game by halftime and even took the lead just after the hour mark through Alejandro Garnacho. However, their hopes were dashed as Chelsea’s Cole Palmer netted two last-gasp goals, including the game-winner at 101 minutes, setting a new Premier League record for the latest game-winning goal.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Ten Hag acknowledged the quality of the game but lamented the individual errors that cost United dearly. He emphasized the need for his players to learn from such circumstances, particularly highlighting the expectation for Manchester United players to know how to manage such situations.

The defeat further dampens United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, with Ten Hag expressing disappointment at dropping points in consecutive matches. He stressed the importance of maintaining a high standard and acknowledged the challenge ahead in securing Champions League football.

Despite facing criticism for conceding a high number of shots in recent games, Ten Hag remained confident in his team’s defensive capabilities and emphasized the need to focus on the upcoming challenges, including a daunting fixture against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

As United prepares for their next test against Liverpool at Old Trafford, Ten Hag will be eager to address the defensive vulnerabilities and ensure his team can bounce back from this disappointing result.