Erik ten Hag reacts to Man Utd's defeat to Cadiz
By Mitch Wilks
Erik ten Hag provided an honest assessment of Manchester United's defeat to Cadiz, conceding there were more negatives than positives to take from the friendly.
The Red Devils kicked off a mid-season tour of Spain with a 4-2 loss to the side sat 19th in La Liga, falling two goals down early on and heading into half-time 2-1 behind.
Kobbie Mainoo made it 2-2 quickly after the break, but as United made 10 changes and introduced a much more youthful side for the second half, Cadiz took advantage and ran out comfortable winners.
Speaking to MUTV after the game, Ten Hag delivered his verdict: “It’s quite clear we were not awake, we were asleep in the first 15 minutes. They were a threat in transition. In the second goal we were not awake, a bad rest defence - especially in the midfield, we got ran off. It’s not possible, unacceptable.”
"The first goal as well, a set play, bad organisation and discipline; you concede a goal," he added: "After that, we came in the game, but couldn’t make the equaliser before half-time."
"We are unhappy with this game. Of course, you always have some positives even when you lose, but today there are more negatives."
The first half saw a number of players on the fringes of the first-team given a runout with so many of United's biggest stars still in Qatar at the World Cup, but the majority struggled to impress barring a few exceptions.
Despite a few impressive performances and moments to be excited about in the second half, experience prevailed. Ten Hag, though, was content with what he saw from a young XI after the break: “They gave energy. They run and fight, maybe not always in the right organisation. They make mistakes. It was a good lesson, they see that small mistakes have big consequences.”
United play Real Betis on December 10 in their second and final mid-season friendly, before returning to action in the Carabao Cup against Burnley on December 21.
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