Manchester United failed to end their tour of Thailand and Australia with a perfect record after Aston Villa snatched a draw from the final game in Perth.
United secured a two-goal lead at the interval but Steven Gerrard’s side fought their way back into the game, with the Birmingham side clinching a 2-2 draw in the dying embers.
The poor conditions certainly affected the players, with heavy rain demolishing an already worn out pitch after Leeds and Crystal Palace played out a game at the same stadium less than 24 hours earlier.
Ten Hag, the United boss, has now delivered his verdict on the game, admitting that United had control but ‘gave it away’, adding that the late heartbreak is a ‘lesson’ for the players.
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“First half was a decent performance, 2-0 up, but the second half we came back out of the dressing room, we had control of the game and we gave it away. That’s not good so that is a lesson,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.
“For the players, for the team, I think we make a lot of progress, a lot of positive aspects. I would say also, at the end, a setback, but it’s also part of the season. You also have to have setbacks and have to deal with it.”
United will not head back to Europe for the final part of their tour, with a game against Atletico Madrid awaiting them in Oslo next week before Ten Hag makes his Old Trafford bow the next day.
SN’s verdict…
Overall, Ten Hag will be pleased with the progress his side has made over the last three weeks. United look like a completely new team – a sentiment echoed by Jadon Sancho, who has perhaps been the best player over the four games.
Ten Hag will also have learned a lot about the players at his disposal. It must not be forgotten that Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez have both signed as well.
With the Premier League curtain-raiser against Brighton just 15 days away, it feels like the manager has a clear idea of how he would like to see his side play.
