Erik ten Hag has responded to Jamie Carragher’s criticism of Manchester United’s tactical approach in their recent defeat to Fulham.
Fulham put an end to Manchester United’s four-game winning streak on Saturday by securing a dramatic 2-1 victory at Old Trafford with a 97th-minute winner.
Despite being the Red Devils’ first loss in February, it marked their 14th defeat in all competitions throughout the 2023/24 season. This led to concerns about the club’s form, with notable statistics circulating, including the fact that only Sheffield United had conceded more shots than United’s 435 in the Premier League this season.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
During his analysis on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, former Liverpool defender Carragher pointed out the significant gap between Manchester United’s defense and midfield as a key factor contributing to the high number of chances created by opposing teams.
In response to Carragher’s remarks, Ten Hag commented, “Some analysts are very objective in their comments, offering valuable advice, while others are more subjective. Jamie Carragher has been critical from the start and now he wants to emphasize his point.”
Acknowledging Carragher’s observation about the defensive issues in the first half-hour, Ten Hag stated, “Fulham, in their midfield setup, surprised us a bit, and then we had to find solutions. After the first half-hour, we found the solutions.”
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the defensive performance, particularly on the left side, Ten Hag emphasized the need for improvement, citing issues with pressing and the team’s overall spirit. He acknowledged that footballers are not robots and may have off days, but stressed that such lapses are unacceptable, emphasizing the team’s need to perform better.
Looking ahead, Ten Hag’s team aims to secure just their second clean sheet of 2024 as they face Nottingham in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday evening.