‘I am responsible for this’ – Ten Hag makes honest admisson as United on brink of Champions League exit

Erik ten Hag is disgruntled with Manchester United’s 3-3 draw against Galatasaray but has also opted to take some of the positives from the clash.

The Red Devils’ hopes of Champions League progression are now hanging by a thread after they failed to take all three points against the Turkish outfit at Rams Park.

United are rock bottom of Group A and despite scoring nine goals in their three away group-stage matches, they have claimed just one point on the road.

Unwanted records were set in tonight’s outing when the Reds became the first English team to concede 14 goals in just five games in a Champions League campaign, while Andre Onana now ranks top of the list for errors leading to opposition goals by goalkeepers in the competition since 2018-19.

With their fate now out of their hands, all Ten Hag’s side can do is try and overturn the rampant Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on December 12.

Ten Hag reacts

Speaking to the media following the full-time whistle, the manager said (via ManUtd.com): “We were winning and then we’re losing [points]. We should have taken three points, clear. That is also [the case] in more games: at home against Galatasaray, away in Copenhagen, we played so good. I have to make a big compliment to the team but, in the same moment, I have to criticise the team and us: as a coaching staff and me, as a manager. We are not defending good enough. We are leading 3-1 and you can’t afford the mistakes we’re making, because that makes the difference.

“I think every goal has its own story. The first is a transition moment, when you speak about quick release, we don’t block the middle. The second is a free-kick, an unnecessary free-kick, but then we have to defend the free-kick better and then the third one, we are very good and organised but we got run off and we are in an overload area. So it can never happen, these mistakes can’t be. In the Champions League, you get punished for it, so you have to learn from it.

“We will fix that [conceding too many goals] but I’m very pleased, you see the style of the team. Proactive, dynamic, brave, so it’s what I said, I’m really pleased with the performance. We created so many chances. Also, in the end, we could have won this game, with Scott [McTominay], with Pelli [Facundo Pellistri] in the end. They were big chances and it was not about luck but about playing good football.

“It’s always me [who is to blame for throwing away leads]. I am responsible for this, but also know we are in a project. We’re getting forward, we’re making improvement, so that’s very hopeful. We are in the right direction, so I know where we have to go and which steps we have to take and I’m sure we will be successful in the long term. If we want to stay in the Champions League, we have to win the next game.”

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