Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has hinted that some of his players were ‘not ready’ for the early kick off against Wolves, in what was a ‘difficult’ game for his side. The Red Devils’ manager was not happy with his side’s first half performance at Molineux. After 45 minutes the two teams went into the dressing room with the score locked at 0-0, with both having had chances to take the lead. It was the start to the game which didn’t impress ten Hag, with the Dutchman hinting that the early kick off didn’t help his team.
Erik ten Hag said: “We know when you go here it is difficult, especially the circumstances they are in; new manager. We experienced the same at Villa – there is new energy in the team and around the club, first home game, and you have to be ready for that. We were not. It’s a lunch game but you have to be ready for that. So that’s a responsibility for every individual player and some were not ready, were not on the front foot, were not focused and then you have problems. If we score first-half then life is easy.”
After being dropped to the bench for being late to a team meeting, Marcus Rashford was a second half substitute. His goal late in the second half proved to be the difference between the two teams as Wolves found themselves on the end of a 1-0 defeat. United defender Luke Shaw was in agreement with his manager about the first half of the game, but lauded the difference that the introduction of Rashford made.
Erik ten Hag said: “It’s always a tough game when we come here. They’re a really good side. We had a poor first half – the manager told us that – but I think we showed great resilience. When you’ve got a player like Marcus Rashford to come on, you know there’s a goal there. He’s in a really good place at the moment: confident, positive, happy. It’s nice to see it. He’s world-class, and if he keeps going he can be one of the best in the world.”
