Following Manchester United’s humiliating exit from the Uefa Champions League 2023/24 after losing to Bayern Munich by a lone goal right inside Old Trafford on Tuesday 12 December, 2023, manager Erik Ten Hag said, the Red Devils “did very good” and “didn’t deserve to lose”.
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| Manchester United manager, Erik Ten Hag, and Bayern Munich manager, Thomas Tuchel, both look on during the Uefa Champions League 2023/24 match between both clubs on Tuesday 12 December, 2023 at Old Trafford. Photo: Getty Images |
It was over for Manchester United when French winger, Kingsley Coman, netted Bayern Munich’s goal in the 71st minute, perfectly converting Harry Kane’s through pass.
Ten Hag described German Kings, Bayern Munich as a “strong side and a good team”.
Manchester United finished Group A at the bottom with four (4) points, while Bayern Munich finished toppers after amassing sixteen (16) points.
According to manutd.com, In his post-match press conference, Manchester United Dutch manager, Erik Ten Hag said: “We didn’t lose today in the Champions League, we lost it before. We have to acknowledge that. I think we’ve had some good performances but then also we made mistakes, individual errors from players. In the end, it’s not good enough but I think, today, the performance was very good again and we didn’t deserve to lose.
“The team did very good, we were very good in the defending organisation, we were very good in the pressing. We had many ball regains, especially at the start of the second half. I think the team very good together and there was good spirit. We won a lot of balls but didn’t take benefit from it.
“Also we played against a strong side – Bayern is a good team and even if they are not in the game, they have individual class to use one moment and unfortunately, it happened.
“The players gave everything – you saw the spirit and, as I said, I have to credit the team; big compliment for the way they worked together as a team against this good Bayern side. But, of course, when the game is going, you need energy from the bench, and especially in the frontline, the options were limited.
“We have to accept it and learn from it. We’ve played some good football in the Champions League; for example Rasmus Hojlund scored five times and that’s a very good performance, and he has to take that belief into the Premier League. I think that counts for the whole team.
“We know we want to be more consistent and me as a manager, I have to improve the team, the team’s progress, and I have to guide them, and the players have to take responsibilities, so we have to do that together. We want to be back again in the Champions League.
“We always have pressure. We want to win every game. You have seen today, against one of the favourites for the Champions League, we go and give everything to win the game. There was the belief. We had that before the game, you’ve seen the spirit of the team on the pitch and there will be at Anfield on Sunday.”
