Manchester United failed to beat FC Twente in their Europa League opener last night.
Christian Eriksen put United ahead, but the Dutch side equalised in the second half.
The visitors celebrated their hard-fought draw as if they had secured all three points – and they had every reason to.
Ten Hag admitted that his players ‘dropped a level’ in the second half, but he must also recognise his shortcomings.
Sir Alex Ferguson did not shy away from taking risks in the final minutes of a match.
In a Sky Sports interview with Gary Neville in 2021, he said: “If you’re playing for our club – that risk should always be there.
“There’s no point in faffing about in the midfield with a few passes and not taking the risk and getting the ball in the box because you’re not going to score from 40 yards.”
After two frustrating draws against Crystal Palace last weekend and FC Twente yesterday, the Dutchman must refer to Ferguson’s playbook.
He had the opportunity to take risks last night with his bench full of quality attacking players.
With 11 minutes remaining and the scoreline 1-1, Ten Hag sent on Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount to replace Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford.
United’s attack could have been more threatening by experimenting with Hojlund and Zirkzee at the top.
Bringing on Mount was the right call, but taking off Rashford for him was a mistake.
Ten Hag should have replaced Eriksen to let Fernandes and Mount play together in pursuit of a second goal.
Ending the game with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte in midfield when a goal was needed showed a reluctance to take risks.
