Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag issued a familiar warning about his side’s profligacy in front of goal after Sunday’s thrilling 2-1 win against Fulham. Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to score a 93rd-minute winner at Craven Cottage, but Ten Hag wasn’t entirely happy after full time.
United entered halftime ahead after Christian Eriksen finished off a sumptuous team play to score his first goal for the club. But the Danish midfielder and Anthony Martial squandered guilty chances to extend the visitors’ lead, and had to pay after the break.
Former United winger Daniel James came off the bench to equalize, and the game looked destined to end in a flat draw before Garnacho’s brilliance in stoppage time. And Ten Hag was not happy with the initial wastefulness on his side, a problem all too common in the early months of his reign.
He told Sky Sports: “I think in the first half we played pretty well, and I think we had to score more goals. The difference between us and Fulham had to be bigger after the first half. We were only 1-0 up and then he had a great chance after halftime. And then you see that no two halves are ever the same, and the game changes. Fulham get better and more dominant, create chances and get the draw.”
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Despite his frustrations, Ten Hag expressed satisfaction with the way United got through Fulham’s period of dominance and regained control in the closing stages.
“The last 10 minutes were ours. I’m really happy with the resilience that we have. Also, the composure that you can bring to the game in that moment. Winning has to do with the belief that you can always score. I’m really happy that a substitute came once again, it’s not just 11 players, you need a team to win trophies, and that’s what we want,” Ten Hag explained.
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United come into the World Cup break three points behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur with one game remaining but have a much lower goal difference than their rivals. And while Ten Hag is pleased with the club’s position in his first season, he admitted their lack of attacking options is a problem that needs to be addressed.
He added: “I think [I’m happy with United’s position], Yes. Especially with the problems we’ve faced. A big problem is the front line. We didn’t have many players available in that first part of the season. We have to improve on that, and if that happens, then we can be more consistent.”
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