Erik ten Hag says Manchester United defenders folded "like a pack of cards" for Melbourne Victory's goal in their 4-1 win. Chris Ikonomidis gave the A-League side an early lead in a move that started from a goal kick.
Luke Shaw pushed high up into the Melbourne half and the ball was played past him and then Victor Lindelof. Harry Maguire, on his first appearance under Ten Hag, failed to anticipate the threat and was left behind by Ikonomidis, who swept in the cross from Ben Folami. Also read: United player ratings vs Melbourne Maguire missed the victory over Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday through injury but his slackness was eerily similar to when Liverpool scored their first goal in the 4-0 hammering of United at Anfield in April.
United recovered from the setback to win 4-1 through goals from Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and an own goal.
Ten Hag was reluctant to criticise any individuals but was unhappy with United's defensive set-up. "I know, I don't want to talk about the individual because I think it was from the start, high up the pitch, the wrong choices and then it ends up like a pack of cards. "It's not one individual, it is more the team who made mistakes." Although Maguire has retained the captaincy, he is set to face more competition from Argentinian centre-back Lisandro Martinez, due to complete a £46million transfer to United.