Manchester United Manager Erik Ten Hag: 'I Am Not Harry Potter'

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United enters the pitch ... [+] prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 01, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has launched a spirited defence of himself in the aftermath of his side’s third competitive defeat of the season.

After losing the Community Shield to Manchester City on penalties, and to Brighton in the Premier League last week, United were beaten 3-0 by Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

It was an alarming performance from United as they were dominated and embarrassed by their biggest rivals, but their manager pleaded for patience.

"It is not like I am Harry Potter," he said. "You have to acknowledge that. For three players it was their first start of the season.”

"Manuel Ugarte did not play one minute, he needs to build his fitness. Then we have to build him into the team. I am sure he will contribute to our team. It will take a couple of weeks, maybe even a month. That is the same for a lot of players."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Erik ten Hag Manager / Head Coach of Manchester United applauds ... [+] after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 01, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Once again Ten Hag was keen to remind everyone that he had won two trophies in the previous two seasons, but added, "I don’t want to talk about positives today. This defeat hurts for us and our fans.”

"It is the third game of the season. I have had to explain this so many times. We have to build a new team. We will be fine but it is clear we have to improve. At the end of the season I am quite confident we will have a big chance to lift another trophy."

United trailed 2-0 at half-time after two goals from the Colombian striker Luis Diaz before Mo Salah settled the game with Liverpool’s third early in the second half.

"I think the first half an hour was okay,” Ten Hag said. “We made a mistake in defensive organisation for the disallowed goal but we were in the game. It was equal, level, and then we had a great structure in building up but then made a big error and, with the quality of Liverpool, they took benefit of that.”

“They took their chances so well. We have to be humble. We have to give the compliments to Liverpool but, of course, we are not happy."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Luis Diaz of Liverpool scores his side's first goal during the ... [+] Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 01, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

"I'm very disappointed, especially when you lose 3-0 to Liverpool. The game is over and we have to live with the result. We have to continue, bounce back and we need to improve the team. Individuals have to improve and, also fitness-wise, we have to improve. We will be fine. We are going for trophies and we have a lot to play for."

United’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was at fault for Liverpool’s first two goals and was substituted at half-time. "It was tactical.” Ten Hag said. “We were 2-0 down against Liverpool and the midfield will be open. You need legs and we brought in a young player who has legs in Toby Collyer. Individual errors are part of football.”

United created some chances in the second half, but for the first time this season failed to score. "Marcus Rashford created two great chances for Joshua Zirkzee. It was Garnacho's first start and Zirkzee's first start. We know Rashy can play centre-forward and one of the ideas was to bring off Zirkzee and Garnacho and leaving Rashford on.”

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, (right) battles for possession of the ball with Liverpool's ... [+] Trent Alexander-Arnold during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday September 1, 2024. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)

“He created two very good chances. I know if he keeps working, keeps fighting like he is now, it will come and he will score goals."

United do not have another fixture now for two weeks as European football enters an international break.

"We can't work with the team in the international break but we know where we want to go. We have to keep working on our structures, work on the fitness because some of our players hopefully play some games in the UEFA Nations League in the coming weeks. Also, I hope they stay fit."

"I think the team showed resilience and kept fighting for each other. They stuck together and were still executing the plan. They dealt with the mistakes they made and I think that is also a platform to continue on with the season."