Manchester United lost 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend but it could have been a lot worse, if not for some poor finishing from our opponents and some good saves from goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Having conceded minutes in to the game, with a category of errors from United’s defence, most notably Diogo Dalot choosing to job back and leave goalscorer Brennan Johnson totally unmarked, we found ourselves down to 10 men after captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off.
The decision looked to be a poor one but remarkably the referee wasn’t advised by VAR to watch the replay. It was confirmed yesterday that Fernandes should not have been red carded and will face no suspension, which serves as little compensation for Sunday’s result.
United had been playing badly up until that point but with a whole second half to play, attacking the Stretford End, the result could have been different had we not wrongly been condemned to 10 men for 50 minutes.
Ahead of our Europa League game against Porto, Erik ten Hag has reflected on the game and the decision.
As always, when we are not winning, we are very disappointed. Of course, we are mad with ourselves, especially when you see a game like Sunday also, after all, we had to play so long with 10 players and, after, it’s overturned, the red card.
It gives frustration because it’s such a long time to play with 10, it’s never to your advantage. It had a real impact in the game. We have to deal with it. We are mad but now, from the madness, we have to get motivation and deal with the next game.
Everyone has to take responsibility. It starts with me as manager but also, on the pitch, the players you have mentioned [Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez] maybe, but there are also others who have leadership skills. They have to stand up. Every game, for us, is important. We have to be ready as a team, and individuals, to fight with them. We need some leaders on the pitch.
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