Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has firmly stated that he is “not Harry Potter,” a reference to the fictional wizard known for his magical solutions, as he addressed the media following a significant 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford. Despite the heavy loss, Ten Hag expressed his unwavering confidence in his squad’s potential to achieve success and secure silverware this season.
WATCH: Ten Hag Rejects ‘Harry Potter’ Approach as Liverpool Delivers 3-0 Defeat to Manchester United.Liverpool, who had an early goal disallowed, quickly took control of the match against Manchester United. Luis Diaz struck twice within seven minutes during the first half, putting Liverpool firmly in the lead. Shortly after the break, Mohamed Salah added a third goal, further widening the gap. United fans were left relieved that the final scoreline was not a repeat of the 5-0 thrashing Liverpool had handed them in 2021.
The defeat was especially disappointing for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, given that six of his recent signings were included in the starting lineup for this high-profile clash. Notably, Manuel Ugarte, the £50.5 million midfielder from Uruguay, was introduced to the crowd before the match, but he was not eligible to play.
As a result of this loss, Manchester United now finds themselves in a troubling 14th place in the Premier League standings, having accumulated only three points from their first three games. Despite this setback, Ten Hag remained optimistic and refused to be disheartened. He acknowledged the challenges his team faces and made it clear that while he cannot perform miracles overnight, he remains committed to improving the squad and achieving success as the season progresses.
Erik ten Hag addressed the media with a dose of realism after Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, clarifying that he is “not Harry Potter” and emphasizing the need to manage expectations. Reflecting on the match, Ten Hag noted that three of the players in the starting lineup were making their first appearances of the season.
Regarding Manuel Ugarte, the £50.5 million Uruguayan midfielder, Ten Hag acknowledged that Ugarte requires time to build his fitness and integrate fully into the team. “I’m confident he’ll make a significant contribution,” Ten Hag said, “but it may take weeks, even a month, for him to reach his full potential.” This sentiment extended to other new players as well, who are also in the process of acclimating.
Ten Hag also discussed striker Joshua Zirkzee, who had a mixed performance, notably missing two crucial opportunities. One of these chances was expertly saved by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson Becker. In addition, Ten Hag pointed out defensive struggles, particularly mentioning Matthijs de Ligt, who had difficulties alongside Lisandro Martinez. England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo also struggled to contain Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, who frequently outmaneuvered him.
During the post-match press conference, Ten Hag had a tense exchange with a journalist who criticized Manchester United’s repeated mistakes. The Dutch manager, visibly frustrated, defended his record, asserting, “If we were making the same mistakes for two years, we wouldn’t win trophies and beat bigger opponents.”
In a notable tactical decision, Ten Hag substituted veteran midfielder Casemiro at half-time after the Brazilian was partly responsible for Liverpool’s first two goals. This decision sparked speculation, with a video circulating on social media suggesting that Casemiro left Old Trafford early. Ten Hag dismissed this claim, stating, “He didn’t leave the stadium at half-time. I met him in the dressing room after the game. We had to take risks to try and get back into the match. Casemiro has won everything in his career, and I’m sure he’ll continue to be a vital part of our team.”
Despite the heavy defeat, Ten Hag remained optimistic about Manchester United’s future. “This defeat hurts,” he admitted, “but it’s just the third game of the season. We’re building a new team, and while there’s still room for improvement, I’m confident we’ll have a significant chance to lift a trophy by the end of the season.