Under-fire Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has bought himself some more time with a famous draw at Anfield in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
The Dutchman also believes that his side could have hurt Liverpool and come away with all three points.
United went into the game on the back of a 3 – 0 home loss to strugglers AFC Bournemouth. Their trip to Anfield made everyone pessimistic because their last trip ended in their worst ever recorded loss in official competitions.
Many believed that ten Hag would be getting the boot if he did not put things right before the Anfield trip. Many did not expect him to, either, leading to many speculations about his possible replacements in the media.
The multiple Eredivisie-winning manager would end up with a point that he later revealed felt like a loss. This is because he claims that his side did not create enough and finish the ones they created, which could have hurt the Red more.
“How pleased was I with the performance? In a lot of respects, yeah, absolutely,” ten Hag said to Man United media. “The performances were very good from the side. I think [on] the game plan, the players were brilliant in how they were together and they stuck together, how they were fighting.
“Maybe the only criticism would be in possession – we could have hurt them more. We get one, two, three passes and we are in. But that was the only thing. We could have scored one of the two big opportunities and even won the game, but I think we defended very well.
“You have seen Liverpool and it is an obviously very good team, and a very good attacking team. They have a lot of good movements and you have to defend very disciplined. Big compliment to the team, [because] we did that. The spirit, the passion, the desire, we had [it], and also [we were] smart.”
Erik ten Hag also credited the burning desire for revenge for last season’s humiliation as the main reason for their performance against Liverpool.
“We knew that beforehand [that last year’s defeat at Anfield would be talked about]. But last year we beat them twice and we lost, and it was a big loss. And of course then you will then [try to take] revenge,” ten Hag said.
Manchester United will now be looking to return to winning ways when they take on West Ham in the Premier League at the weekend.
