Manchester United’s Late Lead Woes Continue: Ten Hag Defends Team’s Performance

Manchester United’s recent struggles continued as they threw away a late lead for the fifth time in the last month in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley. Substitute Zeki Amdouni’s 87th-minute penalty cancelled out Antony’s opener less than 10 minutes earlier, leaving manager Erik ten Hag frustrated with his team’s inability to see out games.

Despite the disappointing result, Ten Hag defended his side, claiming that Manchester United are “one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams” in the Premier League. However, their tendency to concede late goals has cost them valuable points in recent matches.

The equaliser against Burnley came from a self-inflicted error, with Casemiro’s headed back-pass leading to a penalty that ultimately denied United the win. Ten Hag acknowledged the need for improvement in closing out games, especially with Champions League qualification now out of reach.

With four games remaining, United are facing an uphill battle to secure a Europa League spot, sitting behind Aston Villa and Tottenham in the race for European football. Despite the challenges, Ten Hag remains optimistic about his young squad’s potential but emphasized the need for patience from both the players and the fans.

However, Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood criticized the culture at United under Ten Hag, highlighting a lack of playing identity and effort from the midfielders. Sherwood pointed out the need for more intensity and commitment from the players, especially in crucial moments of the game.

As Manchester United continue to navigate a challenging season, the pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag to turn their fortunes around and secure a strong finish in the Premier League. With important matches ahead, the Red Devils will need to address their late-game struggles to end the season on a positive note.