‘Not awake’ & ‘unacceptable’ - Erik ten Hag’s scathing review of Man Utd’s 4-2 loss to Cadiz

Erik ten Hag branded Manchester United’s first-half performance against Cadiz on Wednesday as ‘unacceptable’ and said a similar showing from his side ‘can’t happen in the future’.

The Red Devils lost 4-2 in the mid-season friendly against the Spanish side, with United playing a strong XI in the first half that included the likes of Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial. After the break the team was composed almost entirely of youngsters, but it was the opening 45 minutes that particularly irked Ten Hag.

United were two goals down inside 13 minutes, with the first coming via a Carlos Garcia header inside the box, before Anthony Lozano doubled the advantage following a quick counter attack. Venting his frustrations after the game, Ten Hag told MUTV: “We were not awake, still sleeping [in the] first 15 minutes.

“We prepared for them, they are a threat in transition - the second goal can’t happen, we were not awake. Bad from defence but especially in the midfield we got run off. It’s unacceptable and the first goal is as well, the set-play. Undisciplined in the organisation and you concede a goal.

“The first 15 minutes cannot happen, that is not our standard,” he added. “That should not happen. We have spoken about [it] and will do tomorrow again. Then we have to strike it, draw a line [under it], move on, but it can’t happen in the future.

“We are unhappy with this game. Of course even when you lose there are some positives but today [there are] more negative.”

Asked about the performances of his younger players, Ten Hag said: “They gave energy, they run, they fight, maybe not always in the right organisation. They make mistakes. They are not used to playing at this level but it is a good lesson.”

Anthony Martial and Kobbie Mainoo did score for United to draw them level on Wednesday, before Cadiz netted another double against the inexperienced side in the second period to ensure they won 4-2. The Red Devils face Real Betis on Saturday in a friendly, before flying back to Manchester where they’ll step up their preparations ahead of season recommencing on 21 December.