Erik Ten Hag Criticizes Manchester United’s “Collective Mistake” in 1-1 Draw Against FC Twente

Manchester United’s Europa League campaign got off to a frustrating start with a 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford. Despite taking an early lead through Christian Eriksen, Erik ten Hag’s side failed to kill off the game, allowing their Dutch opponents to equalize and come away with a point. The match leaves United with more questions than answers as they continue to struggle for consistency.

Speaking after the game, Ten Hag lamented his team’s inability to maintain their intensity and finish off the match. “We kept them alive,” the manager told TNT Sports. “1-0 up, controlling the game—you have to be consistent and keep going. In the second half, we dropped the level, gave the goal away.”

Dominance Without a Cutting Edge

Manchester United began the game as clear favorites, controlling possession for much of the first half. FC Twente, currently fourth in the Eredivisie, found themselves on the back foot early on but managed to limit United’s clear-cut chances. However, a moment of brilliance from Christian Eriksen gave United the lead in the 35th minute.

The Danish playmaker seized on a loose ball outside the penalty area and fired a powerful shot into the top corner, leaving Twente goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall with no chance. Eriksen’s goal, his third of the season, was another reminder of his quality and seemed to put United on course for a comfortable win.

However, as the match progressed, United failed to capitalize on their dominance. Ten Hag’s side lacked the cutting edge to extend their lead, and the longer the score remained 1-0, the more Twente grew in confidence.

“We didn’t finish it off, we had to go for the second goal,” Ten Hag said. “They stayed alive, and we got punished for a mistake from ourselves.”

Second-Half Collapse

The second half saw Manchester United lose their grip on the game. Twente, buoyed by the fact that they were still in contention, began to press forward and found more space in United’s midfield. In the 68th minute, the visitors got their reward.

Bart van Rooij made a powerful run down the right side, driving past United’s midfield and defense with ease. A moment of sloppy play from Christian Eriksen allowed Van Rooij to slip the ball to Sam Lammers, who finished coolly past Andre Onana to level the score at 1-1.

It was a moment that exposed United’s defensive fragility and lack of focus. Ten Hag pointed out the collective nature of the mistake, noting that the team’s failure to press and defend as a unit was the root cause. “A player of Twente can dribble through the pitch without stopping. We can’t give a goal away like this,” he said.

Eriksen’s Mixed Night

Christian Eriksen’s night was a tale of two halves. In the first 45 minutes, his stunning goal gave United the lead and looked like it would be enough to secure a victory. However, his second-half performance was marred by the mistake that led to Twente’s equalizer.

Despite his earlier brilliance, Eriksen admitted that the result left him and the team feeling disappointed. “I think mostly disappointed as a team, we wanted more in the end, far from good enough,” the Danish midfielder said after the game. “They looked like they wanted it more—that can’t be right.”

Eriksen’s form has been one of the few bright spots in United’s season so far, with his goal against Twente adding to the two he scored in the 7-0 League Cup victory over Barnsley. However, even his individual quality was not enough to paper over the cracks of an increasingly inconsistent team performance.

Collective Errors Highlight Manchester United’s Struggles

Manchester United’s failure to hold onto their lead against Twente is emblematic of a larger problem that has plagued the team in recent weeks. Despite periods of dominance, they have struggled to maintain control over matches and have often been undone by defensive lapses and a lack of cutting edge in attack.

This draw follows a frustrating 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, leaving fans and pundits questioning whether Ten Hag’s side has what it takes to compete on multiple fronts this season. While the Europa League group stage provides some breathing room, further dropped points could put United in a precarious position as the competition progresses.

“We have seen again, you have to keep going for the whole game,” Ten Hag said, expressing his frustration with his team’s lack of focus and consistency. “Once you’re 1-0 up, you have to keep going, go for the second.”

What’s Next for Manchester United?

Manchester United’s next Europa League fixture is a crucial away match against Porto on October 3. The Portuguese side will be looking to bounce back after their own disappointing start to the campaign, having lost 3-2 to Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in their opener. United will need to raise their game if they are to avoid falling further behind in the group.

Before that, however, United face two tough Premier League fixtures—at home against Tottenham Hotspur and away to Aston Villa. These matches will test the squad’s depth and resilience, as Ten Hag looks to find a solution to United’s ongoing inconsistency.

Ten Hag’s Growing Frustration

Erik ten Hag’s frustrations were clear after the draw with Twente. The Dutch manager has been tasked with restoring Manchester United to their former glory, but the team’s struggles this season have raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.

⚠️ Erik ten Hag: “I saw in many games how high our work rate is, but today I have some criticism”.

“It is not only the team, I have to look in the mirror as well. I am part of it”.

“We have to be more clinical in such situations”, says — via @lauriewhitwell. pic.twitter.com/cueU8OgUsA

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 25, 2024

Ten Hag has repeatedly emphasized the importance of consistency and focus, but his players have yet to deliver. With crucial matches on the horizon, the pressure is mounting on the manager to find solutions—and fast.

“We have to learn from this,” Ten Hag said, summing up the night’s frustrations. “It’s the first game, and it’s very important you get a win. We didn’t, and now we have to respond.”

Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against FC Twente was a result that highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles with consistency and focus. Despite taking the lead through Christian Eriksen, Erik ten Hag’s side failed to finish the game off, allowing their Dutch opponents to snatch a point. As United prepare for tougher challenges ahead, Ten Hag will need to address these issues if his team is to compete on both domestic and European fronts.