VIDEO: Watch how Man United lost their first pre-season game against Rosenborg
Erik ten Hag expressed his disappointment following Manchester United's 1-0 pre-season defeat to Rosenborg, criticizing his players' performance as "by far not good enough" and "not the top standard of football."
Advertisement
United struggled against the Norwegian side, who are in the middle of their domestic season. Rosenborg dominated the game, hitting the post four times and taking 22 shots on goal before Noah Holm's late strike in the 93rd minute secured their victory.
Ten Hag started Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Mason Mount, and captain Casemiro but substituted all outfield players at half-time as part of a planned change.
Reflecting on last season, United had conceded 20 or more shots in a Premier League game on 15 occasions. Speaking to MUTV after the match, Ten Hag emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards.
Man Utd's pre-season schedule in full
July 15: Rosenborg 1-0 Manchester United
July 20: Man Utd vs Rangers - Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh - kick-off 4pm
July 27: Man Utd vs Arsenal - SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, kick-off 5pm local time (1am July 28 UK time)
July 31: Man Utd vs Real Betis - Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, kick-off 7pm local time (5am August 1 UK time)
Other Trending Stories
August 3: Man Utd vs Liverpool - Brice Stadium, South Carolina, kick-off 7.30pm local time (12.30am August 4 UK time)
August 10 - Community Shield: Man City vs Man Utd - Wembley, kick-off 3pm
"The result is not secondary. We play pre-season but at Manchester United, there's a standard," said Ten Hag. "You win games. Definitely, you don't lose games. If you can't win, don't lose the game as we did at the end, the last second of the game. The performance is more important. The performance was below standard."
Young goalkeeper Radek Vitek made six crucial saves, keeping the score down. Ten Hag praised Vitek but noted that the team's overall performance allowed Rosenborg too many opportunities.
"I have seen this is not the standard for top football. Top football, you have to achieve much higher standards. It starts with any individual, make sure you are fit," Ten Hag stated. "I know we can't be match fit in this moment therefore you need these games. I know we are playing an opponent who are in their league, they have a much higher fitness level. But still, we are Man Utd and players and teams from Man Utd must perform better."
Despite replacing the first-half team with younger players, Ten Hag acknowledged their effort but admitted they fell short of his expectations.
"They always listen, they try to transfer. We didn't succeed today," added Ten Hag. "But the attitude, they want to transfer the coaching play model, they are always willing to do it. But it is clear today we didn't transfer it to the pitch."
Manchester United's 2024/25 Premier League season kicks off with a home fixture against Fulham, followed by a trip to Brighton and a derby against Liverpool on August 31. Other key fixtures include a Manchester derby at Manchester City on December 14, a Boxing Day match against Wolves, and the final game of the season at home to Aston Villa on May 25.