Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was critical of his players’ performance as they slipped to a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in their opening game of the UEFA Europa League on Wednesday.
Christian Eriksen had put the Red Devils ahead with a fine strike in the 35th minute, but it was the Dane’s error who led to a Twente equaliser in the second half.
The 32-year-old was caught in possession by Sam Lammers, who fired beyond Andre Onana in the 68th minute.
The Dutch manager refused to pin the blame on Eriksen, instead slamming the team for failing to hold on to the lead.
“We kept them alive, 1-0 up, controlling the game you have to be consistent and keep going. In the second half we dropped the level, gave the goal away.
“We didn’t finish it off, we had to go for the second goal and so they stay alive and we get punished with a mistake from ourselves,” Ten Hag said.
Insistently quizzed to comment on Eriksen’s error, Ten Hag added: “The goal it’s [a]team [mistake], a player of Twente can dribble through the pitch without stopping.
“We can’t give a goal away like this.
“We have seen again you have to keep going for the whole game, once 1-0 up you have to keep going, go for the second. It’s the first game, it’s very important you get a win.”
