Erik ten Hag gives honest verdict on Manchester United draw against Fenerbahce
Man United took the early through Christian Eriksen’s fourth goal of the season
Erik ten Hag expressed disappointment as his Manchester United side failed to secure their first Europa League victory of the season, drawing 1-1 with Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
United took the lead in the first half, thanks to a superb strike from Christian Eriksen.
However, Youssef En-Nesyri equalised shortly after the break, leaving the Reds frustrated as they were once again unable to hold on to a lead.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag pointed to missed opportunities as the key factor, while also praising goalkeeper Andre Onana for his crucial saves in the first half.
Despite Onana’s heroics, the draw means United remain winless in the competition, currently sitting in 21st place after three consecutive draws.
Erik ten Hag said: “It was a good game, two good teams, both went for the win.
“We want to win and when you are 1-0 up in a tough away game, after a first half where you have control and we had some good chances to make a second [goal], then you concede a goal like we did, that feels bad.
“The first ball was played in our block, that cannot happen.
“Then one cross has come in and then a goal, that shouldn’t happen.
“We missed some big opportunities, like the one where it was brilliant outplay on the right side and then the final pass from Diogo [Dalot] for Rashy [Marcus Rashford] wasn’t quite there.
“That should be a goal. It was fabulous outplay over the right side, good behind the defending line and then the pull-back – just the final pass wasn’t there in that moment and that’s a pity because, in that moment, if you go 2-1 up, you win the game.
“We should have won this game but, in the end, we know that it’s a tough atmosphere here, so we take a point.
“So from two tough away games [also against FC Porto], we take two points and now we have two games at Old Trafford [in the Europa League].
“We have to win if we want to progress in Europe.”
On Andre Onana’s double save, Ten Hag added: “They were unbelievable saves, it was from second phase from a corner.
“Two saves from Andre [in the first half from Youssef En-Nesyri] were unbelievable.
“We know he is capable and we saw there that he is a great keeper.”
He concluded: “There was also one on the counter attack where Manuel Ugarte made a great save on the goalline.
“It was also such a moment which showed the determination in this team.
“It’s hard to beat our team but we have to take more chances.
“When you want to be really successful, when you are coming into the scoring position, if you want to win more games, you have to score more.”
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