Erik ten Hag 'has to look in the mirror' as Man Utd boss vents anger after FC Twente draw

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag admitted he would be looking himself ‘in the mirror’ after his side’s latest disappointing display against FC Twente. United got their Europa League campaign off to an underwhelming start on Wednesday night, only managing a 1-1 home draw with their manager’s former side.

Christian Eriksen had seemingly set the Red Devils on their way with a first half goal, but the Dane was then culpable as he coughed up possession for Sam Hammers to level after the break.

The result did continue United’s unbeaten run to four games, but that would have been have of little solace to Ten Hag with pressure again mounting after the drab 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

After the game, the 54-year-old hit back at the notion his players lacked the winning mentality required to turn things around. Instead, he cited missed chances and conceded he too had to take his share of the blame.

“I can offer mentality is very good from this team,” he said. “I saw in many games how high our work rate is, but today I have some criticism. It is not only the team, I have to look in the mirror as well. I am part of it. We have to be more clinical in such situations.”

The hosts did have late chances to take three points, with Joshua Zirkzee denied by Twente goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall while Bruno Fernandes went close. Kobbie Mainoo also had a big penalty appeal turned down but in reality, United were uninspired and rarely looked like cutting their visitors open.

And the post-game assessment of Eriksen prompted “further concern over Ten Hag’s ability to motivate his players, saying: “It was far from good enough. They looked like they wanted it more – that can’t be right. We didn’t lose but it feels like a loss.”

Ten Hag also admitted the desire of the opposition was a telling factor. “It was the game of their life,” he said. “They fought for every yard and we didn’t. Ninety-nine per cent is not enough.”

The final whistle was greeted with boos inside Old Trafford, and Ten Hag now faces a crucial period before the international break. On Sunday United host Tottenham and then go to Aston Villa six days later, games that already appear pivotal to their top four hopes.

Sandwiched between those fixtures in a European trip to Porto. Under the new competition format, the Premier League side still have seven more games to ensure qualification for the last-16, but defeat in Portugal will leave them already playing catch-up.

After being handed a one-year contract extension in the summer, Ten Hag was allowed to spend more than £170million in the transfer window in a bid to build on last season’s FA Cup win. But with his team 11th in the top flight, already murmurs of discontent are emerging with Sir Jim Ratcliffe unlikely to accept another campaign of top flight mediocrity.