Erik ten Hag criticises 'fundamental errors' as Manchester United suffer loss to Galatasaray in UEFA Champions League

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said his side made “fundamental errors” that are unacceptable “at this level” as they lost 3-2 to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

United were ahead twice as Rasmus Hojlund scored on 17 and 67 minutes, but United conceded shortly after both strikes, before Mauro Icardi hit a winner on 81 minutes.

The Argentine had missed a penalty just minutes earlier, after being fouled by Casemiro who was sent off for the challenge.

Their chances of a comeback were hit as Casemiro was sent off yet again for United, four minutes before Icardi’s effort.

Speaking to TNT Sports the day before the game, both Ten Hag and defender Raphael Varane had identified problems with the defence in their 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League match.

Against Galatasaray, it appeared they are yet to properly address that weakness.

Former Manchester United players Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes were severely disappointed with the display at Old Trafford, and Ten Hag conceded that there were serious problems over the two halves.

He told TNT Sports: “The fundamental errors we make, we normally we wouldn't have in the game, you can't allow them at this level. You get punished for it.

"This is difficult to control but we are all in this together. It's not only one making such errors, it's as a team. It was totally unnecessary, because we were twice up and in control of the game, you don't expect this outcome."

"We expect more together," he added.

Ten Hag did identify that Hojlund’s two goals were a positive, but were not enough to be decisive in the circumstances.

He said: "Rasmus scored two great goals. We're happy with that but of course but we didn't win the game. He can be really happy with his goals."

While problems in defence were key, there were questions over a decision of Marcus Rashford to attempt to set up Bruno Fernandes instead of shooting, but Ten Hag would not be drawn on the choice, adding: "That's up to Marcus. In such a moment he has to make a decision."

United play Brentford at the weekend, and with their next Champions League game against FC Copenhagen after the international break, they sit bottom of their group after two consecutive defeats.

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