Erik ten Hag has bemoaned the ‘mental errors’ from his side after Manchester United crashed to a home defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Manchester United’s dismal start to the season continued with a 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray at Old Trafford, a result which leaves the Red Devils bottom of Group A, without a point, and facing an uphill task to secure qualification.
United twice led through a brilliant brace from Rasmus Hojlund, who was the sole positive on a damaging night for both their Champions League hopes and Ten Hag’s tenure.
Wilfried Zaha scored the first Galatasaray equaliser against his former club, before Kerem Akturkoglu levelled for the Turkish champions a second time. Some calamitous defending from United led to Casemiro’s red card, as Andre Onana’s woeful pass conceded possession and pressured the midfielder into a clumsy challenge inside the area.
Mauro Icardi missed the resulting spot-kick after dragging his effort wide of the post, but the Argentine made no mistake moments later. He lifted a clever finish past Onana for the winner after racing clear behind a chaotic United backline.
“The mental errors we make, you cannot allow them at this level,” Ten Hag reflected to TNT Sports.
“You get punished. This is difficult to control. We are all in this together. We were twice up and in control of the game. We expect more together.”
On Hojlund’s two goals: “Rasmus scored two great goals. We’re happy with that but of course but we didn’t win the game. He can be really happy with his goals.”
United have now lost six of their 10 games in all competitions this season. For Galatasaray, it was a first Champions League away in since 2013. Ten Hag, is under pressure.
Read – Zlatan Ibrahimovic questions Ten Hag credentials
Read Also – Five of the best: Zlatan Ibrahimovic goals