Erik ten Hag criticises Man United defending in defeat to Arsenal

Erik ten Hag criticises Man United defending in 3-2 defeat by Arsenal and admits his side ‘have to change their mentality to win trophies’… but insists he can ‘improve things with coaching’

• United conceded three sloppy goals as they lost 3-2 to Arsenal on Sunday
• They are now fourth in the Premier League table after their first defeat in eight
• ten Hag admitted his side ‘have a way to go’ if they want to be at the top level 

Erik ten Hag has criticised Manchester United’s defending after the Red Devils lost 3-2 to Arsenal on Sunday.

Eddie Nketiah scored twice and Bukayo Saka was also on the scoresheet as the league leaders came from behind to claim victory at the Emirates, with the winning goal coming late on in the match.

Via Manchester Evening News, ten Hag said his players ‘have to change their mentality’ if they want to be successful, after admitting he was ‘annoyed’ by the defeat.

Erik ten Hag has criticised Manchester United’s defending in their recent defeat tot Arsenal

United were unable to hold out for a draw after they conceded a late winner from forward Eddie Nketiah

‘Maybe in the next couple of hours we realise we are in a good position, realise we are in a good development, a good process, but at this moment I am annoyed,’ the Dutchman said. ‘I also told the players if you want to win trophies, titles, we have to change our mentality.

‘It’s not possible you are in a top game, you’re making three such big mistakes where you concede goals. Especially the last goal, you have to feel the game on that point. 

‘A point was the maximum and then you have to take the point and you can’t give such a goal away like we did on top level. Then you can’t win trophies.’

ten Hag admitted his side ‘cannot win trophies’ if they don’t change their mentality in games

United’s defenders, including Luke Shaw (right), struggled to contain the Gunners’ attack

United slipped to fourth in the table after the defeat but have been on a good run of form of late and look good to finish in the top four, despite half of the season still left to play.

ten Hag went onto admit he ‘can change’ the mentality he was referring to as he looks to turn United into title challengers once again.

‘It was like a pack of cards with the goals we concede, starting with the corner and then we make mistakes’, he added.

‘We didn’t show the discipline and rules we have there, and you concede goals.

‘I said before, the team who wants the most will win today. Of course, we had a game in the week, we had some disadvantages, but excuses are not possible at the top level.

‘I think with coaching, we can change that, we have already seen how the mentality from the players has changed over the last couple of months but we also have to notice today we have a way to go to be on top level.’

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