Far Below Standards: Same fears resurface for Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has not held back his frustration after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Rosenborg BK in their pre-season opener. Noah Jean Holm’s last-gasp winner at Lerkendal Stadion in Norway exposed the lack of intensity and sharpness ten Hag demanded from his players.

Read More:

Transfer: New look Manchester United starts to take shape

Scores settled: Jadon Sancho back at Manchester United

A Reality Check for United
Ten Hag, who emphasized the need for intensity and resilience before kick-off, saw his team fall short of expectations against a side that sits 11th in the Eliteserien. “The result is not secondary,” ten Hag stated in a post-match interview with MUTV. “At Manchester United, the standard is you win games and definitely don’t lose games.”

Despite acknowledging the difference in fitness levels, with Rosenborg midway through their domestic season and United players returning from a summer break, ten Hag refused to make excuses. “Top football, you have to achieve much higher standards,” he asserted. “We are Man United and players from Man United should perform better.”

No Excuses, Only Accountability
The match saw seasoned players like Jonny Evans, Mason Mount, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford in the starting lineup, alongside younger talents Hannibal and Ethan Wheatley. However, it was Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek who stood out, making several crucial saves.

New Faces, Same Expectations
In addition to critiquing his team’s performance, ten Hag shared thoughts on new assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined the coaching staff along with Rene Hake. The integration of these former Eredivisie managers is expected to bring fresh tactical insights to the team.

As United continue their pre-season preparations, ten Hag’s clear message is that standards must be raised. The defeat to Rosenborg serves as a wake-up call, underscoring the need for improvement before the competitive fixtures begin.