ERIK TEN HAG admits he is in denial about Manchester United’s 3-0 home hammering by Tottenham.
That late-September drubbing sent the Red Devils into meltdown and left Ten Hag on the brink of the sack.
Old Trafford skipper Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half with United one goal down — but his red card was later rescinded.
Even though Spurs were running rings around United when they had 11, deluded boss Ten Hag says he ignores the result. The Dutchman said: “I deny that game.
“I ignore that game against Spurs because we were down to ten with a 1-0 losing position and then the red card was overturned.
“That is not a fair assessment because we didn’t have the chance to bounce back.
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“Everyone agreed it was not the right decision, that it was an injustice and it is also an injustice to assess the team on that performance.”
Ten Hag’s side are unbeaten in four games since that Spurs defeat.
He added: “You see this team is resilient.
“Against Brentford but also in the two tough away games in Europe — Porto and Fenerbahce — this team has character and showed fighting spirit and determination to win.”
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Man Utd ratings vs Fenerbahce: Onana saves the day for Red Devils as Lindelof has a stinker
MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce on a disappointing night in Turkey.
Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock for Erik ten Hag’s side in the first half before En-Nesyri levelled soon after the break.
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in the second half after a touchline tantrum.
But the Red Devils could find a much-needed winner for Erik ten Hag.
SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins rates the performances…
Andre Onana – 7
Made an outstanding double save in the 37th minute to keep two attempts from Youssef En-Nesyri out.
His defenders could’ve done much better to prevent Fenerbahce’s goal.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Failed to track back at times and had his blushes saved in the first half by Ugarte, who made a crucial tackle on Dusan Tadic to prevent a goal.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Made some good blocks during the first half to keep Fenerbahce at bay.
Missed a few chances from set-pieces after the break.
Victor Lindelof – 4
Failed to follow En-Nesyri for Fenerbahce’s opening goal and made no attempt to win the ball.
Hauled off in the 54th minute.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Like Lindelof, he did not apply any pressure to En-Nesyri for the hosts’ first goal. Poor communication from both.
Christian Eriksen – 7
Broke the deadlock for United with a great strike into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Won the ball in the build-up to the first goal and saved Man Utd from conceding with a fantastic last-ditch tackle in front of goal in the 22nd minute.
Was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty after the break.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Didn’t look too out of place starting in the No10 position. Played a role in the build-up to the goal, passing the ball to Zirkzee who got the assist.
Eventually moved into left-back, allowing Martinez to move central.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Played out of preferred position and started on the right as opposed to the left.
Didn’t make too much of an impact on the game.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Played a key role in the build-up to Erikson’s goal by making a direct run into the box.
Challenged Dominik Livakovic a few times and looked lively.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
A poor overall performance from the striker despite providing the assist for Eriksen’s opener.
Failed to make much of an impact and was hauled off in the 54th minute.
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Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to West Ham, Ten Hag bemoaned the injuries which have hampered his Old Trafford reign.
With Antony taken off on a stretcher at the end of Thursday’s 1-1 draw in Istanbul, he is likely to have NINE players out.
Ten Hag, whose side sit 12th in the table, said: “That holds us back in our levels. And also in our position in the league.”
Manuel Ugarte, 23, was impressive midweek in a rare start in the midfield holding role following his £42.3million move from Paris Saint-Germain.
But Ten Hag says the Uruguayan still needs time to settle at Old Trafford.
He added: “The No 6 position is a key position in your team, and he has to learn this position in our game model.
“He came late in the window and then we had to integrate him and that takes time.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
