Ten Hag rants at reporter as Man Utd boss who is not Harry Potter throws strop
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag got into a fiery exchange of words with a reporter after his side were humiliated by Liverpool.
The incident happened after their bitter rivals ran out convincing winners at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, scoring three times without reply. Ten Hag seemingly lost his cool when speaking to Daily Mail reporter Ian Ladyman as the Dutchman tried to defend his players’ dreadful performance.
Ladyman questioned whether it was Ten Hag’s coaching and not just the players to blame, to which the Dutchman responded: “So, what do you mean? Tell me then, maybe you can explain me which mistakes we make regular?”
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The reporter listed the mistakes United made, saying: “Constantly turning over the ball in your own half, playing the ball out from the back, getting mugged, chances coming off the back of it, counter attacks where you are outnumbered, giving up endless chances.”
After more words were exchanged, the United boss once again replied: “I think we won, after City, the most trophies in English football, so I’m sorry for you.”
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(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
The back and forth continued with a furious Ten Hag saying: “’Then you don’t understand managing a football career.” He added: “When players aren’t there I can’t train them, coach them so they can’t perform and develop and get the results that we want.”
Understandably, the Red Devils’ boss was not best pleased after a dismal afternoon in Manchester. In another post-match interview, when speaking to BBC Sport, Ten Hag said: “It is not like I am Harry Potter… you have to acknowledge that. For three players it was their first start of the season.”
(Image: Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
With the reference to magic, Ten Hag will be hoping new signing Manuel Ugarte can cast his spell on a United midfield likely still haunted by Liverpool’s pressing game.
On the new man, the United boss said: “Manuel Ugarte did not play one minute – he needs to build his fitness. Then we have to build him into the team. I am sure he will contribute to our team. It will take a couple of weeks, maybe even a month. That is the same for a lot of players.”
Ugarte was introduced to the Old Trafford faithful ahead of kick-off but may be wishing he stayed in Paris after what he witnessed. The Uruguayan aptly watched fellow centre-midfielder Casemiro look a shadow of his former self – he was replaced by youngster Toby Collyer at half-time after a poor showing when he twice gave the ball away, resulting in Liverpool goals.
