Rosenborg 1-0 Manchester United 🚨 Erik ten Hag pulls no punches after Manchester United’s surprising defeat in Norway. A lone goal from Rosenborg sunk the Red Devils, leaving fans stunned and critics buzzing. Ten Hag’s blunt assessment? “By far not good enough.” This performance has everyone talking—what went wrong, and where does the team go from here? Dive into the match highlights and join the discussion on our fan page.
Erik ten Hag was not pleased with Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat against Rosenborg in their first pre-season match, criticizing the team’s subpar performance and lack of adherence to top football standards.
Manchester United struggled significantly against Rosenborg, who had 22 shots and hit the post four times before Noah Holm scored in the 93rd minute. Ten Hag expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s effort, stating, “Our performance as a team is by far not good enough… this is not the standard of top football.”
Despite starting with key players like Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Mason Mount, and captain Casemiro, Ten Hag replaced all outfield players at halftime. Last season, United had conceded 20 or more shots in a Premier League game 15 times, a worrying trend that continued in this friendly.
Ten Hag emphasized the importance of winning, even in pre-season games, and lamented the late goal conceded. Young goalkeeper Radek Vitek was praised for his six crucial saves, which kept the scoreline respectable. However, Ten Hag noted that Vitek’s standout performance highlighted the team’s overall deficiencies.
He reiterated the need for higher standards in top football and the importance of individual fitness. Acknowledging that the team isn’t match-fit yet, he stressed that Manchester United players must perform better regardless of their opponent’s fitness level. Despite praising the young players’ efforts in the second half, Ten Hag admitted they failed to fully implement his coaching instructions.
Manchester United’s pre-season schedule includes matches against Rangers, Arsenal, Real Betis, Liverpool, and culminates in the Community Shield against Manchester City. The Premier League season begins with a home game against Fulham, followed by fixtures against Brighton and a home derby against Liverpool. The season also features key dates such as the Manchester derby in December and Boxing Day clash with Wolves, ending the campaign at home against Aston Villa.
