United staged a comeback to snatch a 2-1 lead against title contenders Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. However, Mohamed Salah’s late penalty leveled the score, resulting in both teams settling for a point each. United’s performance was lackluster in the first half as they failed to produce a single shot, managing only nine attempts overall compared to Liverpool’s 28.

This draw for the Red Devils followed closely on the heels of their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where they squandered a lead late in the game. Prior to that, they had salvaged a draw against Brentford after a late comeback. These disappointing results have led to criticism of Ten Hag’s tactical approach, though he remains steadfast in his support of the team.

When questioned about the possibility of altering his playing style, the coach responded to reporters, stating, “No, it’s evident that when facing teams like Chelsea and Liverpool, the game will involve transitions. Both are top teams that prefer an open style of play, leaving space for counterattacks.”

He acknowledged room for improvement in defensive transitions but emphasized overall satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting, “We only conceded goals from set pieces. However, there were instances where we could have reacted better, especially in transitions with players like Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes. We missed opportunities to take the lead early on.”

Currently placed sixth in the Premier League, Ten Hag’s team trails Aston Villa and Tottenham by 11 points, making their hopes of qualifying for the next season’s Champions League slim. Their upcoming fixture against Bournemouth on Saturday poses another challenge.