Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag highlighted a specific player for being out of position during the sequence leading to Fulham’s decisive goal on Saturday.
In the 97th minute, Alex Iwobi netted the winning goal, securing a rare away victory over United at Old Trafford for Fulham, a feat not accomplished in over two decades.
The crucial goal originated from Fulham’s defensive half, with Timothy Castagne and Tosin Adarabioyo successfully navigating past Alejandro Garnacho’s pressure in the corner of the field.
A lengthy pass was sent forward, and Adama Traore intercepted Harry Maguire’s header, outpacing the England center-back after evading Christian Eriksen.
Traore advanced up the field and located Iwobi, who maneuvered past Andre Onana and scored, igniting celebrations among the away supporters at Old Trafford.
And Ten Hag was not impressed at how the late goal was scored. “It was a throw-in (for Fulham) in the corner, we had them under pressure and we have one player in the wrong position,” he told the BBC.
“As a team we should manage that and make sure everyone is in the right position. We let them escape and it is avoidable. The team showed big character to fight back, we deserved the equaliser and went for the win – we showed big personality and character. It was that mistake. Before that we went for the win and we should have taken our opportunities.”
Due to Luke Shaw’s injury, Ten Hag had to make a lineup adjustment, inserting Victor Lindelof at left-back. Nonetheless, the manager believed Fulham exploited the situation of the Sweden international playing in an unfamiliar position.
“We struggled with their influence and their impact on our left side,” he added. “But we reacted well and how to deal with it, how to step up from the back and once we had that we got more from the game and took control to create the chances.
“With the squad we had today we should have won this game. Both halves were slow starts and we should be ready from the first whistle. That’s a point of criticism but the team showed big character in both halves.”
