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Premier League | Gameweek 20

Dec 30, 2023 at 5.30pm UK

The City Ground

Nott'm Forest
2 - 1
Man Utd

Dominguez (64'), Gibbs-White (82')
Gibbs-White (56'), Mangala (88')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Rashford (78')
Dalot (58'), Varane (59'), Garnacho (85'), Eriksen (90+9')

Erik ten Hag reacts to Manchester United's 14th defeat of the campaign

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 30 December 2023

Ten Hag reacts to Man United's 14th defeat of the campaign

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insists that his team will get better once the players currently on the sidelines have returned.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that his team will get better once the players currently unavailable for selection through injury have returned.

The 20-time English champions suffered their 14th defeat of the campaign on Saturday evening, going down 2-1 to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Man United have made their worst start to a campaign since 1930-31, and nine of their losses this term have come in the Premier League.

The Red Devils were missing Luke Shaw, Sofyan Amrabat, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojlund for the loss to Forest.

However, a number are expected to return to action in January, and Ten Hag insisted after the loss to Forest that things would improve once his squad has been strengthened.

Manchester United's Scott McTominay and Raphael Varane react after Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White scores their second goal on December 30, 2023 © Reuters

"First half performance was ok. We invested to do less in the final third. I think we should have created more," Ten Hag told BBC Sport after the narrow defeat at Forest.

"The second half we had moments when we conceded goals. Then we come back in the game and I think the game was ours and we went for 2-1 and then we conceded. We had our moments but it was not good enough to win here.

"We know that [we need to be more consistent]. We have to make our performances consistent and have to do better. A game is 90 minutes and we have to invest from the first minute on.

"We are hopeful that many players will be back in the new year and they will strengthen the team and the squad.

"We know the reasons why it is not working. No team can deal with so many issues and injuries we have gad. We should still have done better and we have depth in the squad. When you have so many injuries, the depth is not enough."

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez in action on August 14, 2023 © Reuters

Meanwhile, Man United midfielder Christian Eriksen added in his interview with BBC Sport: "This season in general has been one step forward and two steps back and it felt like that today. Our aim was to get three points so it's definitely disappointing to come away with zero.

"We tried our best but sometimes the luck and the better decisions in the final third, the better defending and the small details don't happen.

"We had our chances. They had a lot less but scored them. At the moment we don't. We need a few chances to score goals and it makes things more difficult. Everyone is just trying to get goals to help the team. We are in the situation to score but at the moment it won't go in.

"Things will heal and get better. There's only one way forward and that's to work hard. Sometimes it goes against us. As a footballer you want the best game every day but the only way to do that is to work."

Man United will only play one league game next month, away to Tottenham Hotspur, but they will be in FA Cup action on January 8 against League One side Wigan Athletic.