Erik ten Hag loses once again, one week after humiliating defeat to Liverpool
Erik ten Hag faced yet another defeat as he took charge of his old club FC Utrecht in a testimonial match
Despite the Premier League being on hiatus during the international break, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag faced another defeat.
Ten Hag returned to his native Netherlands to manage a testimonial match for his former club, FC Utrecht.
The event honoured Utrecht club legend Mark van der Maarel, who had a remarkable 15-year career with the club before retiring at the end of the previous season.
Van der Maarel, a stalwart defender, spent his entire professional career at Utrecht, amassing nearly 400 appearances from 2009 to 2024.
He played under Ten Hag during two of those seasons when Ten Hag managed Utrecht from May 2015 to December 2017, before moving to Ajax.
Ten Hag also had a brief playing stint at Utrecht during the 1995-96 Eredivisie season.
For the testimonial match, several of Van der Maarel’s former teammates reunited to face a team of Utrecht’s current stars.
Ten Hag, managing the former Utrecht players, was unable to secure a victory as his side lost 2-1, with Van der Maarel scoring a late consolation goal.
Following the match, Ten Hag praised Van der Maarel for his significant contributions to FC Utrecht.
“If you stay at this club for so long, you are a character,” Ten Hag said.
“He has so deserved this.”
Ten Hag’s focus now shifts to Manchester United, who have endured a challenging start to the Premier League season.
The goodwill generated from the 1-0 victory over Fulham on the opening day has largely dissipated following the Red Devils’ 2-1 defeat to Brighton and a 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford.
After the Liverpool match, Ten Hag emphasized that he is not a “Harry Potter” figure and acknowledged that United still have numerous issues to address.
Ten Hag will aim to silence the critics when United face Southampton on September 14.
“It is the third game of the season,” Ten Hag said.
“I have had to explain this so many times.
“We have to build them in the team and it will take time.
“We will be fine but it is clear we have to improve.
“At the end of the season I am quite confident we will have a big chance to lift another trophy.”
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