Alphonso Davies has reacted to Erik ten Hag’s pre-match comments prior to Bayern Munich’s Champions League clash vs Manchester United last month.
The Red Devils manager spoke to the media ahead of kick-off regarding his tactical selection and game plan, and said that Davies was ‘not a great defender’, with the fullback more commonly renowned for what he provides his side on the attack.
United went on to lose the game 4-3 after an action-packed 90 minutes at the Allianz Arena that included two injury-time goals, and the result may have left Ten Hag eating his words after Davies put in an impressive shift on the night.
Davies reacts
However, the 22-year-old was seemingly unfazed by Ten Hag’s criticism and admitted that he was unaware of the comment until after the full-time whistle.
He said (via ESPN reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt): “I mean as a coach, I think he said it to motivate his players. I’m not sure what he saw but I’m not here to say that he was wrong. I do have a lot of good defensive abilities – I showed that in the game.
“It was actually after the game that I saw that interview but at the end of the day, all that matters is that I did my job on the pitch and we got the three points.”
Bayern’s Alphonso Davies on Erik ten Hag’s recent criticism of his defending: “I think he said it to motivate his players.” @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/e0rSHAmB9G
— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@archiert1) October 8, 2023
The two European giants meet again in their reverse group-stage tie on December 12 at Old Trafford. United will hope to be in a significantly better position heading into that encounter, as they currently sit rock bottom of Group A on zero points.
