Manchester United Manager Erik ten Hag Acknowledges Need for Improvement After Pre-Season Defeat to Rosenborg

Ten Hag Emphasizes Standards Following 1-0 Loss in Trondheim

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag admits that there is still plenty of hard work ahead after his side opened their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 defeat away to Rosenborg.

With most of the first-team squad not involved in the match, including Jadon Sancho, who has recently returned to training after resolving his differences with Ten Hag, the traveling group was primarily composed of youth players.

Despite the absence of several key players, notable names like Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Casemiro, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were in the starting lineup at the Lerkendal Stadion, along with veteran defender Jonny Evans. Rosenborg, already in league action, appeared far sharper than United, with Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek making a series of crucial saves and winger Marius Broholm striking the United woodwork twice.

Ten Hag made significant changes for the second half, substituting all 10 outfield players with academy products. However, Rosenborg eventually secured the win when Noah Holm scored a late winner during stoppage time after hitting the post earlier in the match.

Looking ahead, United are set to face Rangers at Murrayfield on Saturday before heading to the United States to continue their preparations for the new campaign. Their pre-season schedule includes the FA Community Shield against rivals Manchester City at Wembley on August 10. Ten Hag expects a much-improved display in their next pre-season match.

“The result is not secondary. Of course, we play pre-season, but at Man United, the standard is you win games and definitely don’t lose games,” Ten Hag said on MUTV. “So if you can’t win, don’t lose the game, like we did in the last second of the game, but of course, the performance is more important and the performance was below standards.”

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Ten Hag, who recently signed a contract extension until 2026, added, “We can talk (about) everything that is bad, but I am not that guy. I have seen and this is not the standard for top football. Top football, you have to achieve much higher standards, starts with any individual, make sure you are fit. I know we can’t be match-fit in this moment, I know you need these games. The opponent is (playing already) in the league, so they have a much higher fitness level – but we are Man United and should perform better.”

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