Erik ten Hag defended himself after Manchester United supporters booed his decision to withdraw Alejandro Garnacho, rather than Marcus Rashford, in the defeat to Liverpool. The Red Devils were undressed 3-0 by their rivals at Old Trafford.
Though Ten Hag argued the expected goals “wasn’t that high” which he felt suggested Liverpool weren’t as dominant as they were made out to be. But in truth the visitors were comfortable, and convincing, winners.
Joshua Zirkzee had a handful of goalscoring opportunities but United ultimately could not find a way past Alisson. Though Rashford conjured up two opportunities for the Dutch striker, he was otherwise underwhelming.
And United supporters were frustrated that Garnacho, their most influential player so far this season who was making his first start of the season, was substituted off for Amad Diallo on 69 minutes.
Loud boos could be heard inside Old Trafford as the fanbase made it clear they wanted the Argentine – with one goal and one assist in his previous three appearances as a sub this season – to stay on.
Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville reacted: “They [the fans] would have chosen someone else [to come off]. I have to say United fans don’t often boo managers, substitutions, players individually.
“There’s been a couple today, ordinarily they don’t but today, Casemiro in the first half then Rashford.”
And asked about the jeers post-match, Ten Hag said: “Garnacho still hasn’t played a full 90 minute game. It was the first start for Zirkzee and for Garnacho.
“Then you decide to bring players on who can have an impact. Diallo, he deserved it [to come on]. he can have an impact. We then brought a player off who is not used to 90 minutes [yet].
“The second thing as well, Rashford had some very good assists for Zirkzee. So he had an impact in the game.”
United’s defeat to Liverpool – condemned by a Luis Diaz first-half brace and Mohamed Salah’s strike – means they have lost two in a row in the Premier League. They were also beaten by Brighton a week earlier.
And Ten Hag added to Sky Sports: “We made mistakes and [Liverpool] were very clinical with their finishing. They did well. If I see all the chances we conceded, I think we made mistakes.
“All three goals are mistakes from us, individual errors. Maybe about the last one you can debate where is our double six, but I’ll be honest, I think Liverpool did brilliant.
“How they took over the turnover and how they finished was so good, but I saw the xG, it wasn’t that high. It’s clear [Liverpool deserved it]. We have to be humble, we have to take this, and improve our game.
“I saw the xG we conceded, we didn’t concede so many goals. I don’t have the feeling we are in the same pattern [as last season], because I didn’t see it. I think it was sometimes open and we took risks.
“I think I have seen some good things, but I don’t want to talk about this about a defeat 3-0 to Liverpool. Well done Liverpool, all the compliments, we have to be humble and we have to improve our team.”
