Eric ten Hag Rues His Team’s Lack Of Ruthlessness
Erik ten Hag criticised his Manchester United players for not being ruthless enough on Wednesday night after conceding a last-gasp equaliser at Crystal Palace to miss the chance to go second.
Michael Olise’s stunning 91st-minute free-kick cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ opener, and Casemiro’s fifth booking of the season rules him out of Sunday’s trip to leaders Arsenal.
Ten Hag rued the missed opportunity. ‘We had control of the game,’ he said. ‘We needed to invest more for a second goal. If you score the game is over and now instead you get hammered with an unlucky moment in the end.
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‘I have to criticise my team. Go for the second. Bruno and Rashy (Marcus Rashford) on the wings, Alejandro Garnacho, a lot of creativity, speed and power, and Scott McTominay with penetration behind.’
Ten Hag was also frustrated by the decision not to give United a penalty in the 72nd minute at 1-0 up, when Scott McTominay went down in the Palace penalty box under pressure from defender Chris Richards.
Asked if United were unlucky not to be given a spot-kick, Ten Hag said: ‘From my perspective (we should have had a penalty) but VAR and the referee make the decision. We have to accept it.’
Casemiro, involved in a bizarre second-half incident before his booking when a fan entered the pitch unchallenged by security for a selfie, came into the game one yellow card away from a suspension, but Ten Hag said he had no second thoughts about playing him.
He also insisted that United can go to leaders Arsenal and win, having beaten them at Old Trafford without the Brazil midfielder in September.
