26 July 2023 , 08:10
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Erik ten Hag warned Manchester United's youngsters they "have to learn" from their 3-1 defeat to Wrexham on Tuesday night.
Ten Hag was "disappointed" with his team's "erratic" display against the National League champions in California after goals from Elliot Lee, Aaron Hayden and Sam Dalby proved to be the difference. Marc Juardo pulled one back for the Red Devils.
It was an ill-disciplined display from United, with captain Dan Gore sent off in the second half. Goalkeeper Nathan Bishop was also fortunate to avoid being a red card after he flattened Paul Mullin early on, with Wrexham's talisman suffering a punctured lung. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson slammed Bishop's "clumsy" and "reckless" challenge and Bishop has apologised to Mullin.
For his part, ten Hag was unhappy with what he witnessed from United's next generation - however, he believes they will learn from the experience.
Ten Hag said: "We’re disappointed with ourselves. The way we played in the first half was a little bit erratic to the structure. We had some other objective that it was not [just] the result, but with young players we have to learn from it and I’m sure they will do."
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In his chat with MUTV, Ten Hag also urged his youngsters to learn to deal with the physicality of an English Football League (EFL) side, like Wrexham, and playing in front of a big crowd. He said: "This is what happens in top football.
"It definitely is [physical] in the Premier League, so our players have to get used to it. You don’t face this is in youth football; this is men’s football and it is really good that they have this experience. It’s negative but you learn from it."
Ten Hag added: "It’s a learning moment and as Manchester United players, you have to deal with it. With the pressure from the crowd, it is good that we have this. You have to learn to take that and we will carry on."
Erik ten Hag was not too impressed with Manchester United's youngsters on Tuesday night (Getty Images)What did you make of Manchester United's performance against Wrexham? Let us know in the comments below!
United's academy coach Travis Binnion oversaw the defeat to Wrexham, with Ten Hag observing from the sidelines. Jonny Evans, who signed a short-term deal with United earlier this month, was the only experienced professional in the team to face Wrexham.
Most of United's first-team squad, bar Evans, did not feature against Wrexham because they are taking on Real Madrid in Houston on Wednesday night. Ten Hag will take charge of that game after catching a flight just hours after the defeat to Wrexham.
Binnion said: ''It was an eventful night, wasn't it? Obviously a couple of key decisions didn't really go our way, but we didn't play well enough. First half we had control of the game. Or we could have had to control the game, but we didn't quite do enough for the ball.
''[The] structure wasn't right and some of my decision making wasn't great and then obviously the two goals we conceded are quite avoidable. So there's a lot of learning for us tonight.''