HIS BOY, THAT: Erik ten Hag hugs captain Bruno Fernandes after the victory over Liverpool. Fernandes also played as a stopper at the end of the chaotic game. Photo: PAUL ELLIS / AFP / NTB
How can you say that this Manchester United team lacks leaders and strength of character?
Manchester, England Monday March 18 at 11:07 a.m
The short version
- Manchester United won 4-3 against Liverpool in a highly dramatic match
- Manager Erik ten Hag rejects criticism about the lack of leaders and strength of character in the team
- Roy Keane, often critical of his former team, praises United’s attitude and personality against Liverpool
- Ten Hag asks critics to look at the whole and the team’s development in recent months
Sea view
At least that’s what manager Erik ten Hag is wondering after the highly dramatic 4-3 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
– I don’t understand why it (criticism) comes. This is players with character. They show that again today, and not for the first time, he says at the press conference after the match.
A consistent criticism of the current United generation is that they lack leaders and strength of character.
It is a stark contrast to the golden age, when the dressing room was full of strong personalities. One of them – the legend Roy Keane – has been the foremost critic in this area.
Photos like this have gotten a lot of attention in recent seasons:
Keane has regularly lambasted the club for lacking these two qualities he values so highly. As recently as January, he gave the smooth team to several of the players.
But with two extra-time goals to turn 2–3 to 4–3 against Liverpool, Keane was pleased with what he saw.
– United showed character (strength) and personality. It’s been a long time since the last time and it’s really nice to see, said Keane on ITV.
He praised his old club for shaking up Old Trafford, after a season in which they have received a lot of criticism – such as this situation with Marcus Rashford:
Ten Hag has always maintained that he has mentally strong players in his squad, and if nothing else he greatly improved his case with Sunday’s victory.
It may have saved both the season and the Manchester United career of Amad Diallo, who scored the match-winner in the 120th minute.
The Dutchman asks the critics to look beyond just results and what happens on the pitch.
– We have had so many setbacks in the form of injuries, we have had to adapt. What you have seen in recent months shows that we can do better than last autumn. We get the wins, I’m proud of the way we solve it in January, in February and in March. Even if we are a little behind (in the league), says ten Hag.