“They looked more fresh and more ready. We need to be more sharp. The result is really clear. It never lies. Today we were not good enough.
“We didn’t get the right organisation. We created chances and good chances at 2-1. But you are really disappointed to concede at the start of the second half.”
SN’s verdict…
The disastrous start to the season aside, this is probably the biggest hiccup under Ten Hag thus far. United went nine games unbeaten after the defeat to Manchester City earlier this season but the Dutchman will oversee just two more games before the campaign is broken by the mid-season World Cup.
Unfortunately, the bigger clubs are at a disadvantage as most of their first-team players will be departing on international duty and Ten Hag will not be able to drill his squad as much as he would have liked.
Nevertheless, it’s his job to pick his side back up – United face Aston Villa again on Thursday as the Birmingham side make the trip to Old Trafford for a bout in the Carabao Cup.