Ten Hag: 'We kept FC Twente alive'

The Reds were ahead at the break through Christian Eriksen’s sumptuous strike, before the Dutch visitors levelled midway through the second half through Sam Lammers.

Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes were among those who had further opportunities, but United could not make a winning start in the new-look Europa League, much to Ten Hag’s frustration.

Scroll down to read what the boss had to say during his post-match media duties, in interviews with MUTV and TNT Sports...

WE MUST BE CONSISTENT

"We kept them alive, we were 1-0 up, controlling the game. You have to be consistent and keep going in the second half, we dropped the level and gave the goal away. We didn't finish it off, we had to go for the second goal and so they [FC Twente] stay alive and we get punished with a mistake from ourselves. We are very frustrated, yeah.”

UNACCEPTABLE GOAL TO CONCEDE

"The goal, it’s [a] team [mistake], a player of Twente can dribble through almost the whole pitch, or half the pitch, without stopping. That is not acceptable, we can't give a goal away like this. We have seen, again, you have to keep going for the whole game; once you are 1-0 up you have to keep going and go for the second [goal].”

WE NEEDED A WINNING START

"It’s the first game [in the Europa League], it’s very important you get a win. I’m not thinking in this moment about [a draw being less damaging in the first game], I am only thinking about the performance, what we have to improve and where we have to be more consistent. It’s about building good structures, creating chances to kill teams off.”

NO TIME FOR SENTIMENTALITY

"In this moment, with my team, we want to improve and we want to make a successful season so there is no place for sentiments like this. It was a special match because I have a history there [at FC Twente] but you have to turn it off, don’t think about these things, you have to not be in the emotion and you have to clinical and prepare the team you are working for and is now also in my heart. That’s what I did with all my heart and in my head."

WE HAVE TO BUILD

"We have to build and tomorrow we have to keep going. Tonight was not good enough; we should have won. We kept the opponent alive and we did not finish it off after we went 1-0 up, that’s not good, we know this and we have to learn from this. We have to be more secure, we have to look for more moments where we can dominate the ball and speed up the game to go for the second goal."

RASMUS RETURN WELCOME

"Of course, they [the forwards] are all main [forwards], but Joshua [Zirkzee] is doing very good. He created a very good chance, it was a brilliant shot and a very good stop. We are very pleased that Rasmus [Hojlund] is back, of course, and now he has to come up to full fitness, full speed, and he can score a goal, we know that. He’s very good in the box."