Ten Hag: We should have won the game
Erik ten Hag was pleased with his team's performance but critical of defensive errors during Manchester United's 3-3 draw against Galatasaray, which left the Reds' UEFA Champions League qualification hopes in the balance.
The Reds managed to forge a two-goal lead on two occasions at RAMS Park but, much to our huge disappointment, could only take a solitary point from the penultimate Group A match.
It means a victory on matchday six against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford next month will be required, as well as other results going in our favour, in order to advance to the knockout stage.
Below, you can watch the manager's post-match conversation with MUTV and read the main points from his interview with TNT Sports...
Ten Hag: We should have got over the line
Erik ten Hag says United must learn how to manage the game better, after Galatasaray's comeback...
WE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THREE POINTS
"We were winning and then we’re losing [points]. We should have taken three points, clear. That is also [the case] in more games: at home against Galatasaray, away in Copenhagen, we played so good. I have to make a big compliment to the team but, in the same moment, I have to criticise the team and us: as a coaching staff and me, as a manager. We are not defending good enough. We are leading 3-1 and you can’t afford the mistakes we’re making, because that makes the difference."
WE HAVE TO LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES
"I think every goal has its own story. The first is a transition moment, when you speak about quick release, we don’t block the middle. The second is a free-kick, an unnecessary free-kick, but then we have to defend the free-kick better and then the third one, we are very good and organised but we got run off and we are in an overload area. So it can never happen, these mistakes can’t be. In the Champions League, you get punished for it, so you have to learn from it."
PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE
"We will fix that [conceding too many goals] but I’m very pleased, you see the style of the team. Proactive, dynamic, brave, so it’s what I said, I’m really pleased with the performance. We created so many chances. Also, in the end, we could have won this game, with Scott [McTominay], with Pelli [Facundo Pellistri] in the end. They were big chances and it was not about luck but about playing good football."
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
"It’s always me [who is to blame for throwing away leads]. I am responsible for this, but also know we are in a project. We’re getting forward, we’re making improvement, so that’s very hopeful. We are in the right direction, so I know where we have to go and which steps we have to take and I’m sure we will be successful in the long term. If we want to stay in the Champions League, we have to win the next game."