Erik ten Hag described Manchester United players’ game management as “naive” in their rip-roaring 4-3 win at Wolves.
United led 2-0 at the interval and were 3-1 up heading into the last 10 minutes but Max Kilman and Pedro Neto struck in the 85th and 95th minute to seemingly salvage an unlikely draw for Wolves.
Kobbie Mainoo curled in a magnificent winner in the 97th minute to secure United’s fifth Premier League away win of the season at Molineux but Ten Hag was still frustrated by United throwing away two two-goal leads.
“We should have managed better but there was already the penalty situation where we were in the press and they beat our press,” Ten Hag said. “It’s actually similar to the goal we concede in Newport, the second one. We have to hammer out these mistakes, they can’t happen.
“We had some more stages in the games in the season as well. What is asked in that moment is leadership on the pitch and it can’t be that this is happening, that you concede such goals. That is one story.
“I said I have mixed feelings about this but I am very pleased with the team performance and some individual performances from our side.
“It’s more things: switching off, reading the game, it’s about when you are up, keeping the ball. Save the ball. We want to go too much for another goal instead of keeping the ball and letting the opponent run. Now we are going for goal, too much risk, losing the ball and we encourage opponents.
We have to run more and then also especially in this moment where the team, some players are not in 100 per cent fitness you get split as a team and it is quite naive.
“When you are open and leading a game, then you shouldn’t all run forward. Stay calm, keep the ball and make sure your defending organisation is always good.”
For the first time as United manager, Ten Hag had his strongest available players to choose from and the first 45 minutes was United’s most accomplished all season.
Casemiro conceded a penalty that allowed Pablo Sarabia to register for Wolves and get them back in the game on 71 minutes. Ten Hag felt United’s performance level dropped after an hour. “We dropped the levels but I think it’s also a little bit logical because we had some players not 100% match fit, they need the games to get into that 100% fitness and some routines are not there. We should manage it better but I was pleased with the first 60 minutes of this game.”
Marcus Rashford’s goalscoring return after his fine faded into the background amid United’s late win. Rashford now has three goals in his last three Premier League games and Ten Hag is convinced the United attack is starting to click.
“I think the whole team played very good, Rashy as well,” Ten Hag acknowledged. “Maybe you know that, you see the last games, there is coming about in the front line and if they get the service in the back they are a threat for every opposition.”