Ten Hag slams ‘stupid’ Ronaldo plan after Aston Villa beat Man Utd

Aston Villa v Man Utd: Pictures

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has slammed ‘stupid’ players for continuously trying to cross for Cristiano Ronaldo in their 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday. The Red Devils were outplayed by Unai Emery’s side, who claimed all three points courtesy of goals from Leon Bailey, Lucas Digne and Jacob Ramsey. Luke Shaw’s deflected effort for the Red Devils, in the end, was just a consolation.

As United tried to haul themselves back into the game against Villa, they kept crossing into the box hoping to find Ronaldo.

The Red Devils star remains a goal threat, despite the veteran’s waning form evident for all to see, but was unable to make an impact as his side crashed to defeat.

And Ten Hag, speaking after the game, slammed United players for their ‘stupid’ decision to keep crossing for Ronaldo.

“No, I think it was stupid to do that [often look for Ronaldo in the air],” said the 52-year-old, whose side have now lost four times in the top flight so far this term.

“We delivered too many quick crosses in from too far away. There was too much forcing and we didn’t have to.

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“We have to find the crosses in the right moments. The right moment was when Christian Eriksen did so in the first half, and the moment was when he found Cristiano in the pocket at the far post. That was the right moment.”

Ten Hag also rued United’s poor start to the game, insisting they let themselves down by allowing Bailey and Digne to score early on.

“We lost the game at the start of the first half, start of the second half,” said the Dutchman. “That’s not acceptable.

“You have to be ready for the game, we were not. We have to be more sharp. I said it was up to us. It was up to us.

“We didn’t keep the ball. We let them run at the start of the game, we didn’t get the right organisation but especially we didn’t follow the rules in defending and we lost battles.

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“It’s not acceptable. A player has to take responsibility to be ready. It looked like they were fresher and that’s never acceptable.

“I think the free-kick [from Lucas Digne] is stoppable because the wall is too far [over].

“Okay, these small details, but small details make a difference in top football. The details are everything to us because we were not fresh.

“When you start the game, you always have the attitude and I think that was one of our best standards, as we were really on the front foot and ready to play in all the games to now.

“Today, we were not.”

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Ten Hag believes United were good in the first half against Villa – but insisted the result doesn’t lie.

“I think that stage [end of first half] was the best part of the game for us,” he stated.

“We created chances, with [Alejandro] Garnacho and [Cristiano] Ronaldo.

“Good chances and it was also well played but then we are back in the game and it’s really disappointing we conceded right after half-time.

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“It’s crucial and we lost the game at the start of the first half and the start of the second half.

“The result is clear. That never lies. In football, you get your earnings.

“Today we were not good enough. You have to read the game. You have to get the right organisation and not concede two goals.

“That was totally unnecessary because then you have to stay together, compact and win your battles. Stay on the ball. It’s everything we didn’t do.”

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