‘They were embarrassed… the manager got it wrong!’: Robbie Mustoe slams Man United boss Erik Ten Hag’s tactics in the first half against rivals City… as Robbie Earle insists on all their hard work in the last four games was ‘undone in 45 minutes’
- Man United dominated in the first half and were down 4-0 at the break
- City were promoted within eight minutes through Phil Foden, who scored a hat-trick
- Erling Haaland also scored twice in the first half and ended with three goals
- And Robbie Mustoe blamed Erik Ten Hag for United’s worrying performance
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Following Man City’s first-half loss to rivals Man United, Robbie Mustoe had some strong words for manager Erik ten Hag as he accused the Dutchman of misreading his tactics and said the team was “embarrassed”. .
City went 4-0 up at half-time, behind two goals each from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, both of whom ended with hat-tricks as United were spread across the field en route to a 6-3 defeat.
Antony scored for United with a stunning left footed shot in the 56th minute before Anthony Martial struck a brace off the bench but it didn’t change the outcome of the game after a poor first-half display from the Red Devils.
“We admire a manager who trusts his players and says, ‘We won the last four, we’ll do the same again,'” Mustoe told NBC Sports. “It’s different, isn’t it?”
‘He got it wrong. The manager knows the profile of these midfielders. He knows Antony won’t come back and help this side, they were destroyed on this side.’
Erik Ten Hag’s side were torn apart in the first half at the Etihad Stadium
“You were embarrassed. And the main reason I said Rebecca are midfielders in terms of line-up. The back four has been stretched like crazy but when you have midfielders who just want to attack and not defend and protect the back four.
“Kevin de Bruyne runs free, runs wild and destroys the team as all forwards are pro city.
Ten Hag started the game with Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay in central midfield with Bruno Fernandes in charge as City put relentless pressure on United.
De Bruyne assisted Haaland with two goals in the first half as Jack Grealish also ran rampant down the left wing, causing problems for Antony and Diogo Dalot. The right-back received a yellow card in the second minute.
City took the lead six minutes later with a skillful Foden finish.
“This is a return for United from the first two games,” said Mustoe’s colleague Robbie Earle. “All that hard work has been undone, all the points they have… it’s gone in 45 minutes.”
“This is looking like the bad old days of Manchester United again who will have shocked Ten Hag at half-time. He has to work in that dressing room to at least stop the rot and make sure they don’t concede too many goals… but the players also have to take responsibility. You failed him today.”
