Manchester United Players Question Erik ten Hag’s Tactics After Defeat to Manchester City

Manchester United’s players have privately questioned Erik ten Hag’s tactical decisions in the wake of their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, according to reports.

United slumped to another defeat in a Manchester derby as two goals from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden’s late strike from close range sealed a deserved win for Pep Guardiola’s side at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has come under fire after United’s inconsistent start to the season, with the Dutchman being accused of failing to progress the team any further than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed during his time as manager.

Players Question Ten Hag’s Decisions

According to The Sun, United’s players are now having doubts over Ten Hag’s ability as they were left ‘dumbfounded’ by two of the Dutchman’s key selection decisions against City.

The report claims that United’s players questioned why Victor Lindelof started at left-back instead of Sergio Reguilon, while the decision to play Bruno Fernandes out wide has also faced scrutiny.

Ten Hag ‘Furious’ With Performance

In a separate report from The Sun, Ten Hag was said to be furious with his side’s display against the Premier League champions and made his players sit in silence in the dressing room after the game.

That report also claims that Ten Hag ‘tore into’ United’s players and cancelled a day off which was planned in the event that they beat City.

It’s claimed that United’s players have been told there will be additional footage provided to them to expose their flaws against Guardiola’s side, who delivered a dominant performance in the second half at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag’s Post-Match Interview

In his post-match interview, Ten Hag made it clear that he was unhappy with his players for failing to stick to their tactical gameplan in the second half and singled out their poor pressing in the build up to City’s second goal shortly after the half-time break.

“Our game plan first half we were very disciplined, then you see how successful you can be,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.

“But second half for the second goal we make a mistake. We make a wrong decision by going up to the keeper [Ederson] in the wrong moment and not recovering quick.

“Then they get into the game, they get power in the midfield, they can switch the play, players coming in the wrong positions and they make a great goal.

“But it started with us by making a wrong decision, not having our shape, then they will outplay you.”

Conclusion

Erik ten Hag is facing questions from his own Manchester United players over his tactical decisions after their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Reports suggest that United’s players are now having doubts over Ten Hag’s ability as they were left ‘dumbfounded’ by two of his key selection decisions against City. Ten Hag was said to be furious with his side’s display against the Premier League champions and made his players sit in silence in the dressing room after the game. Ten Hag also singled out their poor pressing in the build up to City’s second goal shortly after the half-time break. It remains to be seen if Ten Hag can turn things around at Old Trafford and get United back on track.

For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.