Erik ten Hag has called on his Manchester United players to improve the way they see out matches.
The Red Devils conceded in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to lose 2-1 away at Brighton on Saturday, just two weeks after conceding an 89th-minute goal to take their Community Shield clash against Manchester City to penalties — with Pep Guardiola’s men triumphing 7-6 to lift the trophy.
In fact, since the start of the 2022/23 season (per Squawka), United have lost more Premier League games from goals scored in the 90th minute onward than any other side (6).
There’s no doubt United have a lot to offer, with the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho forming the basis of an extremely exciting attack.
However, if Ten Hag cannot get a handle on his side’s habit of switching off at the end of games, their talent will amount to very little — and could cost the Dutchman his job.
Ten Hag has recognised the problem and is working hard on a solution.
“We have good potential but we have to keep going until the end because where we concede, in the Community Shield [against Manchester City], almost in stoppage time,” Ten Hag told reports following the Brighton defeat (via the Manchester United website).
“Now, in stoppage time, we concede a goal and you have to keep going until the end.
“The game is finished when the referee whistles three times and that is what we didn’t do well. Game management – we should improve that.”
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