Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has responded to Jamie Carragher’s “subjective” critique of his tactics following the 2-1 loss to Fulham.
Carragher raised concerns about United’s setup on Saturday during Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
Ten Hag acknowledged that the former Liverpool defender “made a valid point,” although he noted that Carragher has been critical “since the very beginning.”
“Some analysts are very objective in their comments, very good advice, some are very subjective,” said Ten Hag.
“Jamie Carragher, from the first moment on, has criticised and now he wants to make his point.”
Carragher had pointed out how United “defends like a side I have never seen before” as they played a low defensive block and a high attacking press, which left huge gaps in the middle of the pitch that Fulham exploited on their way to only a second win at Old Trafford since 1963.
Ten Hag said: “Probably in the first half an hour, yeah, he had a point. Fulham in their midfield set up a little bit surprisingly and we had to find solutions. After half an hour we found the solutions.
“I was not pleased with the performance in defending, especially with the left side, how we did the pressing because they came out, especially in the first half an hour, several times on the left side and that can’t happen. And that has everything to do with willingness, spirit and passion.”
Harry Maguire looked to have rescued a point for United after cancelling out Calvin Bassey’s 65th-minute opener, but Alex Iwobi struck the winner deep into injury time when Fulham counter-attacked from a throw-in close to their own corner flag.
Ten Hag accepted that “can’t happen”, adding: “How we managed it as a team is no good.”
Speaking before Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Nottingham Forest, he added: “I know footballers are not robots, sometimes they have bad days. But it can’t be, it’s unacceptable and we have to do better tomorrow.”
‘Unstoppable Antony’
Ten Hag advocated for the signing of Brazilian winger Antony from his former club Ajax after taking over as United boss in 2022.
Thus far, the £82m transfer fee, the second highest in United’s history behind Paul Pogba’s, has not proven to be a wise investment.
The 24-year-old has only managed to score a single goal and provide one assist this season, both against League Two side Newport in the FA Cup. Against Fulham, he was omitted from the starting lineup as 19-year-old Omari Forson made his full debut.
Despite Forson’s underwhelming performance, Ten Hag defended his decision and maintains his confidence in Antony.
“I brought in Kobbie Mainoo,” Ten Hag said. “Now, after six weeks, the same people who were questioning it are saying he has to go to the England squad.
“Garnacho: what is the manager doing? What is the staff doing? Similar. They need time.
“Omari came on and it’s not easy. We didn’t play our best game but he plays a reasonable game and showed that he can be a player for the future.
“On Antony, I backed him for a long time. I know his abilities. I know from the past he is unstoppable. He’s one of the quickest in the first 10 yards.
“He is resilient, he’s a character and he will fight back and I back him.”