Manchester United's hopes for Champions League glory came to a disappointing end as they finished bottom of Group A. After a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich, manager Erik ten Hag expressed his thoughts in a post-match press conference.
In the aftermath of a challenging campaign that saw Manchester United eliminated from both the Champions League and the League Cup, Erik ten Hag faced questions about the team's future prospects. With little room for error, the focus now shifts to the Premier League and the upcoming FA Cup.
"There's still many things to play for," remarked ten Hag. He emphasized the importance of securing a top-four position in the Premier League to ensure a return to the Champions League next year. Despite recent setbacks, the manager remains optimistic about the remaining competitions.
Reflecting on the disappointing performance against Bayern Munich, ten Hag acknowledged the scarcity of chances in the must-win game. However, he highlighted the team's efforts in disrupting Bayern's rhythm and commended their defensive and pressing organization. The missed opportunities, particularly a notable chance from Bruno Fernandes, contributed to the overall frustration.
"We had our moments, but we didn’t take them," ten Hag admitted, acknowledging the team's shortcomings in converting opportunities into goals.
Facing scrutiny for finishing at the bottom of the group with the lowest points in Manchester United's group phase history, ten Hag offered insights into the challenges faced. He pointed to individual errors and missed opportunities as contributing factors, emphasizing the need for improvement.
" We have to do better," stated ten Hag. Disappointment looms over the group as they fell short of expectations, leaving the manager and the team with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
When questioned about lessons learned from the campaign, ten Hag mentioned the need for depth in the squad and highlighted the impact of player absences on crucial matches. Despite the challenges, he refrained from using it as an excuse, emphasizing the club's high standards and the imperative to secure victories.
In response to concerns about Rasmus Hojlund's limited touches and the team's ability to score goals, ten Hag defended the player's performance in the Champions League, citing his five-goal contribution. He acknowledged the difficulty in creating chances against a formidable opponent like Bayern Munich.
As Manchester United looks to recover from this setback, Erik ten Hag's reflections provide insight into the challenges faced, lessons learned, and the determination to bounce back. The road ahead in the Premier League and the FA Cup will test the team's resilience as they aim to reclaim their place among Europe's elite.