Man United vs Real Betis: Europa League LIVE – The Anfield horror put Man United in a different mental state ahead of the R-16 clash against Real Betis in the Europa League. Erik ten Hag has to fix out few errors that occurred in the second half of the game where Liverpool scored six goals in quick succession. Follow UEFA Europa League 2022-23 LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
Man United vs Real Betis: After HUMILIATING 7-0 Loss to Liverpool, 3 things Erik Ten Hag MUST do make Man United Comeback – Check Out
The Man United head Erik ten Hag said after the defeat at Liverpool: “It is quite obvious, it was unprofessional. First half, I think we were the better team – we created the better chances and had two one-on-ones with the goalie. Before half-time, we made one organisational mistake and conceded a goal. We were in the game. It really surprised me after half-time, we gave the game so quickly.”
He also added, “The first two goals were defensive transition moments, the first was a turnover and the second was a counter, bad decisions and decisions on the ball. How we conceded the goals is really annoying. The third was a counter with unprofessional decisions – not following in, and then running in, moving forwards, giving space away in midfield, not tracking back.”
Man United vs Real Betis: After HUMILIATING 7-0 Loss to Liverpool, 3 things Erik Ten Hag MUST do make Man United Comeback – Check Out
Let’s discuss three important things Erik ten Hag must do to get back on the winning track:
Taking the advantage of first half
As Luke Shaw mentioned, Man United saw a drop in their performance since their EFL Cup triumph at Wembley last month. The Anfield showdown was just a trailer and it’s time to get things right at Old Trafford. If we summaries this game in two parts – the first half and second half, then you find the second half a disaster that took all the attention of the game.
Marcus Rashford had fewer touches (14) than any other player on the pitch in the first half at Anfield.#LIVMUN pic.twitter.com/EM2OylLS0r
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 5, 2023
Man United had their moments in the first half when Alisson Becker made the first save in the 9th minute, getting down low to keep out Antony’s curling effort. Bruno Fernandes tried a diving header in the 26th minute when he met Dalot’s cross at the back post but, his effort went wide off the target. If United could have netted a goal in the first half, you would have rarely seen a single goal from the Reds. They ended the first half with Gakpo’s strike and it actually allowed Liverpool to capitalise in the second half.
The same story will be applied when Real Betis will play at Old Trafford. They held Real Madrid for a goalless draw last time out and the Spanish club understands the value of defense against United.
Ten Hag needs a favour from Defense
Just go few months back and understand what happened in Manchester Derby. Man United conceded six goals against Man City and at that moment, Red Devils were coming off an impressive run like United were unbeaten in 11 matches before Liverpool’s loss. In both episodes of horror, it was disorganised, lethargic, and downright disgraceful version of defense.
United needs to improve the quality of its defense. In the top 10 teams of Premier League 2022/23, only Tottenham (36) have conceded more goals than United (35). Even out-of-form Chelsea have 11 goals less than United which shows the poor picture of ten Hag’s defense. Their rivals at Old Trafford in Europa League have a better defense than United and it can backfire. The sad part is the worst defense strategy came in the second half of the game.
Need to change the game style in second half
Erik ten Hag must learn how to control games in the midfield. They were too reliant on counterattacks that they leave the ball for the Reds to play. Conceding 7 goals and still having just 40% of the possession is a mockery. After going one goal behind Liverpool, Man United committed few mistakes. They gave Reds too much space to allow their attackers to counter. Man United lost control and possession after the second and third goals.
After 3-0, it was a different United on the ground. United forwards tried to score goals and lost a bit of balance in their positions. FA Cup tie against West Ham almost gave few hints to Erik ten Hag but he didn’t change it. It was an owl goal from the Hammers that opened the game for United and Garnacho netted a winner in the last minute.
The second half was not about Liverpool’s heroics but it was about Manchester United’s capitulation. I accept the one fact if we follow the game closely that Man United were a better side than Liverpool in the first half. Jurgen Klopp would not call it the greatest performance. The last four goals came on the plate. It’s like United offered them to break their deadlock easily and increase the chances. We have observed Firmino and Salah’s performance throughout the season. When you have a race, your rival will win it if you automatically get slow. It’s not about your speed. Man United left the race after a 50th-minute strike from Gakpo.
Man United vs Real Betis: After HUMILIATING 7-0 Loss to Liverpool, 3 things Erik Ten Hag MUST do make Man United Comeback – Check Out
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