Erik ten Hag says Man Utd players put tactical plan ‘in the bin’ in Brentford loss

Erik ten Hag blamed “individual mistakes” and admitted Brentford were far hungrier as his Manchester United team crashed to a second consecutive defeat at the start of the Premier League season.

Brentford racked up four first-half goals in a disastrous opening 35 minutes for United, an error from David de Gea for Josh Dasilva’s opener setting the tone and Ten Hag said: “Brentford were more hungry. We conceded goals from individual mistakes. You can’t have a tactical plan but then put it in the bin.”

Two competitive matches into his new job, the Dutchman was forced to apologise to the club’s travelling fans. “It is difficult for me,” he said. “It is always a surprise when you start a game like this. After 35 minutes we conceded four goals. This is not possible. The team has to take the responsibility, I feel really sorry for the fans who did everything to support us, we let them down.”

With Brentford repeatedly catching out United’s tactic of playing the ball out from defence, Dasilva’s and Mattias Jensen’s goals both came following mistakes in possession. Ten Hag still defended his prescribed system. “I’m convinced he can do it,” he said of De Gea. “I’ve seen it in training. “They [all] can. We saw it in pre‑season.”

He was still highly critical of his team’s performance. “They are good players, and have to take responsibility on the pitch, as a team and as individuals, and that’s what we didn’t do. I asked them to play with belief and take responsibility for their performance, and that’s what they didn’t do.

“It’s only when we stick together and work hard that we will overcome that. You have to take belief on to the pitch for yourself and the team.

“Don’t get me wrong, the manager is responsible as well, he has the main