Erik ten Hag upset at Man United loss to LaLiga bottom-dweller

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was less than thrilled following his team’s loss to Cadiz on Wednesday. The Red Devils were beaten in Spain 4-2 on the day. Following the match, the coach claimed that his players were “still sleeping” in the early stages of the friendly.

“It is quite clear,” ten Hag told MUTV. “We were not awake, still sleeping, [in the] first 15 minutes. They are a threat in transition. We have seen, the second goal can’t happen. We [were] not awake in the defense but also in the midfield we got ran off. It’s not possible, it’s not acceptable.”

“After that, we came into the game and got a penalty. I think it was a clear one and I think maybe the second half [we] deserved another penalty, but the first one was a clear one. We came into the game, but we couldn’t make the equalizer before halftime.”

Spanish side have won two league matches this season

Cadiz, who currently sit 19th of 20 LaLiga teams, scored twice inside the first 15 minutes of the match. The Red Devils were able to level the score following an Anthony Martial penalty and Kobbie Mainoo goal just after the halftime break. Nevertheless, the Spanish side scored twice in the second half to win the game.

Ten Hag stressed the opening period of the first half to his team. “The first 15 minutes cannot happen,” the coach continued. “That is not our standard and that should not happen.

“We’ve spoken about [the performance and] we’ll do it tomorrow, again, but then we have to strike it, draw a line and then move on. But it can’t happen in the future.”

ten Hag goes with regulars and youngsters in United loss

United played the friendly match with a fairly young side. Nevertheless, ten Hag’s starting XI did include Donny van de Beek, Scott McTominay, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Martial.

The Premier League side will look to reset against Real Betis on Saturday. Betis is currently sixth in the LaLiga table.

PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images