Erik ten Hag warns Man Utd need to 'grow up' after Tottenham draw
- Man Utd drew 2-2 with Tottenham at Old Trafford
- Ten Hag was left frustrated by the nature of Spurs' goals
- Hojlund and Rashford scored for the Red Devils
Erik ten Hag has called on his Manchester United players to "grow up" after conceding "two soft goals" in the draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Goals from under-performing offensive duo Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford gave the Red Devils the lead on two separate occasions during the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, however Ten Hag's side were pegged back both times by Richarlison in the first half and then Rodrigo Bentancur at the start of the second.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, manager Ten Hag admitted that he was disappointed with how Man Utd conceded the goals, calling on his team to be "more physical" in the defensive third in future.
"[Sir Jim Ratcliffe] will have seen a team fighting for each other and trying to get a win," said Ten Hag about the incoming owner's first appearance at Old Trafford. "He has seen two great goals on our side and also what he should have noticed is we should be more man when we have to defend corners.
"You have to grow up and be more physical, head the ball away. That shouldn’t happen. And the second [Spurs goal, from a break] was a typical one. We know the quick releases and then we allow them a diagonal pass and with one diagonal pass they break our whole team and that can’t happen.
"I am quite disappointed. When you go ahead twice and then concede two soft goals it is a bit frustrating, but you have to take it as it is."
Ten Hag was also keen to point out the positives that Man Utd can take from the draw with Spurs, highlighting the combination play between Rashford and Hojlund in particular.
"We have seen glimpses [of Rashford being back to his best]. The co-operation with Hojlund is growing," said Ten Hag.
"The first goal was prepared by Rashford for Hojlund. He also scored a very good goal, so I’m pleased with that. We are improving and we’ve seen a glimpse of the future with [Alejandro] Garnacho, [Kobbie] Mainoo, Hojlund of course. I’m very pleased players are returning, like [Lautaro] Martinez, Casemiro and [Luke] Shaw. I’m sure we’ll have a strong side."
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