Erik ten Hag and Christian Eriksen criticise Man United’s desire in Twente draw

Erik ten Hag and Christian Eriksen both admitted it was unacceptable that FC Twente showed more desire than Manchester United in Wednesday’s shock Europa League draw.

The new-look group phase began with the Red Devils taking on the club their manager spent a combined 23 years with across three spells as a player and then as a coach.

Ten Hag’s reunion started well enough as Eriksen thundered the hosts into a first-half lead at a sold-out Old Trafford.

But United lost their way after the break and the experienced midfielder’s error allowed Sam Lammers to seal a famous 1-1 draw for the Eredivisie outfit.

Reflecting on the Europa League opener, goalscorer Eriksen told TNT Sports: “Mostly disappointed as a team. Obviously we wanted more but in the end it was far from good enough.

“Like it just has been said also in the changing room, I think they looked like they wanted it more than us and that can’t be right.”

Those comments were put to Ten Hag in the post-match press conference.

“Yes, you saw it,” the United boss said. “Twente, it was the game of their life and they fought for every yard. And, yeah, we didn’t – 99 per cent is not enough.

“You have to give 100 per cent. You have to kill the game, you have to finish it off.