Erik ten Hag was unimpressed with Manchester United’s players in their 1-0 pre-season defeat to Rosenborg, saying their performance was “not good enough by far” and “not at the highest level of football”.
United were dominated by the Norwegian side, who are in the midst of their domestic campaign. Rosenborg hit the post four times and had 22 shots on United’s goal before finally taking the lead in the 93rd minute thanks to a late goal from Noah Holm.
Ten Witches Named Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Mount Mason and captain of the day Casemiro in their starting XI before withdrawing all outfield players at half-time as part of a planned change.
Last season, Manchester United conceded 20 or more shots in a Premier League match on 15 occasions.
Erik ten Hag not impressed by Man Utd
“The result is not secondary. We are playing pre-season but at Manchester United there is a level,” Ten Hag told MUTV after the game.
“We win games. We never lose games. If we can’t win, we shouldn’t lose the game like we did at the end, in the last second of the game.
“Performance is more important. Performance was below standard.”
United were grateful to young goalkeeper Radek Vitek who kept the scoreline low, with the 20-year-old making six key saves in Trondheim.
Asked about Vitek’s performance, Ten Hag replied: “Let’s say he had the opportunity from the team to make some very good saves – because our performance as a team is by far not enough.
Marcus Rashford played 45 minutes for Manchester United in the 1-0 defeat at Rosenborg
“I saw that it’s not the norm for top-level football. In top-level football you have to reach much higher standards. It starts with each individual, make sure you’re fit.
“I know we can’t be fit at the moment so we need these games. I know we’re playing against an opponent who is in their league, they have a much higher fitness level. But we are still Manchester United and Manchester United players and teams have to do better.”
United replaced their first-half side with a host of youngsters and, although Ten Hag praised the young team for their second-half display, he added that they had failed to follow his advice on the pitch.
Roseborg dominates against United
“They always listen, they try to convey. We didn’t succeed today,” added Ten Hag.
“But the attitude, they want to transfer the game model from coaching, they are always ready to do it. But it is clear that today we have not transferred it to the field.”
Manchester United’s full pre-season schedule
July 15th : Rosenborg 1-0 Manchester United
July 20: Manchester United v Rangers – Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh – kick-off 4pm
July 27: Manchester United v Arsenal – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, kick-off 17:00 local time (1:00am on 28 July UK time)
July 31 : Manchester United v Real Betis – Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, kick-off 19:00 local time (5:00 on 1 August UK time)
August 3:Manchester United vs Liverpool – Brice Stadium, South Carolina, kick-off 7:30pm local time (12:30am 4th August UK time)
August 10 – Community Shield: Manchester City vs Man Utd – Wembley, kick-off 3pm
Manchester United 2024/25 fixtures: Ten Hag makes Fulham debut, live on Sky
Manchester United will kick off their 2024/25 Premier League season with a home game against Fulham, live on Sky Sports, and will face Liverpool in the first month of the season.
The opening match of the new campaign will be played on Friday 16 August, with kick-off at 8pm.
United then travel to Brighton ahead of their first major derby of the season at home against Liverpool with the match currently scheduled for Saturday, August 31.
The return leg will be played in early 2025 with a trip to Anfield on January 4.
Fans will have to wait until December for the first Manchester derby of the season, away Manchester City December 14. The return leg at Old Trafford will take place on April 5.
Boxing Day will see Man Utd travel to wolvesand they will finish the 2024/25 campaign at home against Aston Villa May 25th.
