Manchester United were left frustrated after the 1-1 draw with FC Twente in the Europa League opener.
Christian Eriksen opened the scoring but his mistake allowed the visitors to score the equaliser.
Erik ten Hag called out United’s lack of ruthlessness as they failed to extend their lead.
He said (via TNT Sports): “We kept them alive, 1-0 up, controlling the game you have to be consistent and keep going. In the second half we dropped the level, gave the goal away.
“We didn’t finish it off, we had to go for the second goal and so they stay alive and we get punished with a mistake from ourselves.
“The goal it’s team, a player of Twente can dribble through the pitch without stopping. We can’t give a goal away like this.
“We have seen again you have to keep going for the whole game, once 1-0 up you have to keep going, go for the second.”
Another Man United draw which feels like a loss
The memory of the goalless draw against Crystal Palace last Saturday still lingered in the minds of United’s supporters.
The Red Devils dominated the ball possession and created better chances.
However, they were not clinical in front of the goal which allowed the Eagles to sneak a point.
They took a step back rather than forward as they looked devoid of ideas in the final third against FC Twente.
Joshua Zirkzee and Harry Maguire came close to scoring but the visitors robustly defended their box.
The United attackers lacked the cutting edge. They did not create any big chance after the break.
In particular, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo had an off night. The former lost the ball possession 19 times and won only 50% of his ground duels.
The latter completed only one of his four dribbles and failed to register a shot.
United should have secured an easy victory in this clash but instead found themselves frustrated.
The new Europa League format has more games. The Red Devils must aim to amass points quickly to rotate the squad in the later games.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
