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Erik ten Hag opens up on Manchester United's "bad start" to season

Ten Hag opens up on Man United's
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag addresses his side's disappointing start to the 2023-24 campaign.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that his side "have to catch up and do better", having suffered their fourth Premier League loss of the season on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils were beaten 1-0 at Old Trafford by Crystal Palace, with Joachim Andersen scoring the only goal of the contest in the first period.

Man United have now lost four of their seven Premier League matches this season, with a total of nine points leaving them down in 10th position in the table.

Ten Hag has said that his side's form is "not good enough", but the Dutchman is confident that the team will be able to find their groove in the weeks ahead.

"It's a bad start. We have to catch up and do better. This is not good enough. Of course, it's frustrating for everyone, especially the fans," Ten Hag told reporters.

Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen celebrates scoring against Manchester United on September 30, 2023© Reuters

"It's frustrating but for us, as well, the players and for me. We have to stay together, fight together and get better and make sure we get improvement.

"It's actually quite simple (why we lost). We concede only three chances over the course of the whole game, three from set-plays. Their goal, first of all, the free-kick. You have to be more controlled, it's not necessary to make a foul there.

"Then the ball is coming into the box and it's not good defending. And we had poor decisions in the final third. We came so often in good positions, behind or in front of their backline, we had three players there in that moment.

"We didn't have an impact to get to their goal and so whatever, the extra pass, final pass or a shot. The quality was just not good enough in that part of the game. In the final part of the game, we didn't play our best game."

Manchester United's Raphael Varane heads at goal against Crystal Palace on September 30, 2023© Reuters

"I think every occasion is different. Sometimes it's like calmness and composure, other times it's being more clinical, other times be more direct. The next time, play the extra pass.

"As I've said, it's about decision-making, the qualities and skillset the players have. There were many occasions, I can't count them, but we are in the position to put the ball where we want to be.

"I think I repeat myself but we came into the positions and have to make the [correct] decision. Yes, these players can do better. We have more qualities than we showed today."

Man United have now lost five of their nine matches in all competitions this season, and they will be bidding to bounce back when they host Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Ten Hag's side will then switch their attention back to the Premier League, with Brentford visiting Old Trafford next weekend.

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