It’s a result that leaves United 12 points adrift of table-topping Arsenal with just one game in the Premier League before the World Cup break. Asked if it was a deliberate tactic to look for so many early crosses to Cristiano Ronaldo as United struggled in the first half, Ten Haag made it clear he was not impressed with what he saw. “No, I think it was stupid to do that,” Ten Haag said.
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“We offered too many quick crosses from a long distance. There was a lot of coercion and it wasn’t needed. He added: “The result is clear, he never lies. In football you always get your profits. Today we weren’t good enough.” United conceded two goals inside 11 minutes as the hosts got off to a flying start at a sharp Villa Park boosted by the appointment of former Arsenal boss Emery. Ten Hag’s side halved the deficit at half-time but that momentum was halted just four minutes after the restart as Ramsey restored the two-goal advantage and that proved to be the end of any United charge. “We lost the game at the beginning of the first half and at the beginning of the second half,” Ten Hag said. “This is not acceptable. You have to be ready for the game, we weren’t. They looked fresher and more ready. “We have to be sharper and when I say the team, I’m also involved.”
