ERIK TEN HAG said he needs time to build his new-look Manchester United and claimed: I’m not Harry Potter.
The Red Devils’ disappointing start to the new campaign continued as they were thumped 3-0 at home by rivals Liverpool.
And the Dutch boss moaned there is no magic wand he can wave and he should be judged at the end of the campaign.
He said: “It’s just the third game in the season, we have to build a new team. We have young players, we had three players making their first start of the season, they didn’t play 90 minutes.”
New £50.8million midfielder Manuel Ugarte was introduced to fans before the game, while summer signings Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee started.
Ten Hag said: “With Ugarte, we have to build him into the team.
It will take time, so it’s not like I’m Harry Potter. That is what you have to acknowledge.
“And if you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season. Not one match minute.
“So he needs to build his fitness rate and then we have to build him in the team and I am sure he will contribute to our level and he will be an important player but that will take a couple of weeks, maybe even months.
“And it counts for more players. Joshua Zirkzee, he made big steps the last three or four weeks, I am very pleased with his performance today but I didn’t expect this four weeks ago.
“It was the first start of De Ligt, first start of Zirkzee, also for Alejandaro Garnacho this season.
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“We still have some players not available.
“We will be fine but it is clear we have to improve.
“In two years, we took two prizes and in the end of the season I am quite confident we will have a big chance to lift another.
“The opponent is probably a little bit further in certain areas but we will catch up and come back.
“I don’t want to talk about good things. We lost 3-0. We have to stand up and bounce back.
“We made two big mistakes and Liverpool took them really well.”
United will be in a rush to get 23-year-old Ugarte fit after Casemiro had another day to forget.
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Amadou Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Tom Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
He gave the ball away in the build-up to Liverpool’s first two goals.
Ten Hag hooked the veteran Brazilian at half-time and replaced him with 20-year-old rookie Toby Collyer.
And the Dutchman was forced to deny reports Casemiro, 32, went HOME during the second half.
Ten Hag said: “I met him after the game, so he didn’t leave.
“The reason I subbed him was because we are 2-0 down against an opponent like Liverpool. It is what the team needed.”
Asked if there were positives from the defeat, Ten Hag added: “There are some but I don’t want to talk about this.
“It hurts — especially for our fans. We have to be humble and move on.”
