Erik ten Hag provided an honest assessment of Manchester United’s defeat to Cadiz, conceding there were more negatives than positives to take from the friendly.
The Red Devils kicked off a mid-season tour of Spain with a 4-2 loss to the side sat 19th in La Liga, falling two goals down early on and heading into half-time 2-1 behind.
Kobbie Mainoo made it 2-2 quickly after the break, but as United made 10 changes and introduced a much more youthful side for the second half, Cadiz took advantage and ran out comfortable winners.
Speaking to MUTV after the game, Ten Hag delivered his verdict: “It’s quite clear we were not awake, we were asleep in the first 15 minutes. They were a threat in transition. In the second goal we were not awake, a bad rest defence – especially in the midfield, we got ran off. It’s not possible, unacceptable.”
“The first goal as well, a set play, bad organisation and discipline; you concede a goal,” he added: “After that, we came in the game, but couldn’t make the equaliser before half-time.”
“We are unhappy with this game. Of course, you always have some positives even when you lose, but today there are more negatives.”
The first half saw a number of players on the fringes of the first-team given a runout with so many of United’s biggest stars still in Qatar at the World Cup, but the majority struggled to impress barring a few exceptions.
Despite a few impressive performances and moments to be excited about in the second half, experience prevailed. Ten Hag, though, was content with what he saw from a young XI after the break: “They gave energy. They run and fight, maybe not always in the right organisation. They make mistakes. It was a good lesson, they see that small mistakes have big consequences.”
United play Real B*tis on December 10 in their second and final mid-season friendly, before returning to action in the Carabao Cup against Burnley on December 21.
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Credit: 90min.com
