ERIK TEN HAG slammed his Manchester United flops after they were thrashed by Cadiz.
United were out in Spain to participate in one of two friendlies they have arranged while on a warm-weather training camp ahead of the return of the Premier League.
GettyErik ten Hag watches on as his Manchester United flops lose to Cadiz[/caption]
ReutersTen Hag barks instructions at his players[/caption]
However, things did not go to plan for the Red Devils as they fell to a 4-2 defeat.
And demanding Dutchman Ten Hag did not hold back – with an especially critical analysis of the first half.
He told MUTV: “We prepared them. (We knew) They are a threat in transition and we have seen the second goal. It can’t happen.
“You are not awake. Especially in the midfield, we got run off, this is not possible. Unacceptable.
“The first goal was as well. A set play, bad organisation and bad discipline in the organisation, and you concede a goal.
“After that, we came into the game. We get a penalty, a clear one, and we deserve another one in the second half.
“We came into the game but we couldn’t score an equaliser before half-time.”
Ten Hag was without major stars such as Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro – with each of these still on international duty at the World Cup – among others.
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And with some young and relatively inexperienced members in the line-up such as Teden Mengi and Zidane Iqbal Ten Hag might have expected a drop in performance.
Anthony Martial converted a penalty in the first half to halve the deficit but that did not stop Ten Hag from hooking his ENTIRE outfield unit at half-time.
He added: “They gave energy. They ran, they fight… maybe not always in the right organisation and they made mistakes – they are not used to playing this level.
“But it was a good lesson. You see when you make small mistakes, there are big consequences and you can lose the game. That’s what happened.
GettyAnthony Martial converted from the penalty spot in the first half[/caption]
GettyUnited conceded four on a dismal night for them in Spain[/caption]
“That has to be the standard always. The first 15 minutes cannot happen, it is not our standard. It should not happen.
“We have to strike it, draw a line under it and move on. But it can’t happen in the future.
“We are unhappy with this game. Of course, you have some positives when you lose but today you have more negatives.”
While the second half got off to a perfect start thanks to an equaliser from Kobbie Mainoo, things soon unravelled as Cadiz restored their two-goal cushion.
It’s a far from ideal start for post-Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd, but when asked about the Portuguese legend, Ten Hag insisted the team were only looking to the future.
He said: “He’s gone and it’s the past. We are now looking forward and we’re looking to the future.”
United will go again on December 10 when they face Real Betis in their second Spanish friendly.