Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said he was “not happy” with his side’s defending during a 3-0 pre-season defeat to Liverpool in which he withdrew four players through injuries.
United suffered their third defeat in five build-up matches, falling behind to Fabio Carvalho’s 10th-minute opener before Curtis Jones doubled the Reds’ advantage 26 minutes later and Konstantinos Tsimikas added a third 16 minutes after the break.
Jonny Evans was taken off at half-time because of illness, while fellow defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Will Fish were also replaced as a result of physical issues.
The boss reflects on #MUTOUR24 💬#MUFC
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Man United injuries ‘part of football’
“With Will Fish, it’s an impact injury,” Ten Hag told MUTV, adding that precautionary reasons were behind Lindelof’s departure and Harry Maguire being left out entirely. “We have to see how bad [the situation] will be. That is part of club football. Pre-season is always tough.”
A comeback win over Real Betis on Thursday was United’s only victory of their US tour, having also lost 2-1 to Arsenal in their opening match of the trip.
Rasmus Hojlund is expected to be out for six weeks and new signing Leny Yoro for three months with injuries they sustained against the Gunners.
Man United vs Liverpool: Reds cruise
United had 18 of the 27 attempts between the teams against Liverpool and eight of the 13 efforts on target. “Liverpool are a very good side, very aggressive with a lot of goalscoring abilities,” said Ten Hag.
“They did very well. There were good bits and the first goal is important. I have seen positive bits but I’m not happy with the way we concede goals.”
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Ten Hag said 21-year-old centre-back Fish had made “big steps” during the tour but “has to improve”. The Dutchman was also impressed by the attendance of 77,000 at South Carolina’s Williams–Brice Stadium.
United US tour ‘great’
“It was enjoyable,” said Ten Hag. “The togetherness made a brilliant atmosphere. The group and staff have done a great job. We are very pleased with all the effort they’ve put in. We’ve worked on our game model. You learn a lot about your team.”
United return to England to meet Manchester City, who they beat in the FA Cup final on May 25, in the Community Shield on Saturday (3pm).
They begin their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham on August 16 (8pm), when they will hope to avoid a repeat of their last-gasp defeat to the Cottagers at Old Trafford in February.
