**Europa League: Ten Hag Criticizes United**

ZAGO 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

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Post on Oct 26, 2024

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Europa League: Ten Hag Criticizes United After "Unacceptable" Draw Against Sevilla

Manchester United's hopes of winning the Europa League took a significant hit on Thursday night as they were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw at home by Sevilla. Following the match, manager Erik ten Hag expressed his frustration with his team's performance, labeling it "unacceptable."

A Sloppy Start and Missed Opportunities

The Red Devils started the match with a lackluster performance, falling behind to a Youssef En-Nesyri goal in the seventh minute. While they were able to equalize through a Marcus Rashford penalty shortly after, United failed to capitalize on their dominance in the first half.

"We had a good start to the game but we were not clinical enough," Ten Hag admitted post-match. "We missed too many opportunities. We had a lot of possession and we created chances but we didn't take them."

A Disappointing Second Half

The second half saw Sevilla take the lead again thanks to a stunning strike from Lucas Ocampos. The Spanish side then retreated and defended resolutely, forcing United to chase the game. While a late equalizer from Harry Maguire salvaged a point, it was a far cry from the performance expected from the Red Devils.

Ten Hag was particularly critical of his team's lack of intensity in the second half: "We didn't have the same energy and we didn't press high enough. We were too passive and allowed Sevilla to get back into the game. It was unacceptable."

A Crucial Away Leg

The draw leaves United with a mountain to climb in the second leg in Seville. Ten Hag acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead: "We need to go to Seville and play much better. It will be a tough game, but we have to believe in ourselves and fight for the victory."

Ten Hag's Demands for Improvement

The manager made it clear that he expects a much-improved performance in the second leg: "We need to be more aggressive, more creative, and more clinical. We need to show more character and fight for every ball. We have to learn from this game and be much better in Seville."

What's Next for United?

The draw against Sevilla has undoubtedly put a dent in United's Europa League ambitions. They will need to bounce back quickly and put in a much stronger performance in the second leg if they are to progress to the next round. This game will undoubtedly serve as a wake-up call for Ten Hag and his players, who will need to find a way to improve their performance in the coming weeks.

The next few weeks will be crucial for Manchester United. With a hectic schedule ahead, including a Premier League title race and a potential FA Cup final, Ten Hag needs to ensure his team is mentally and physically prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. The draw against Sevilla has highlighted some areas where United needs to improve, and the manager will be hoping that his team will learn from their mistakes and bounce back in the second leg.