He said what? Erik Ten Hag’s bizarre post-match statements after thrashing by Liverpool

Erik ten Hag has started to garner a reputation for making some strange and interesting comments during press conferences. Still, he may have taken it to a new level with his bizarre post-match statements following his side’s 3-0 home defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool.

Ten Hag, who spent around £180m (€214m/$237m) this Summer per Transfermarkt, was very defensive following the game, claiming, “It is not like I am Harry Potter. You have to acknowledge that,” in relation to three of his players making their first starts of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

In fairness to Ten Hag, there are very few football fans who think he is, in any way, similar to Harry Potter, a famous child wizard with a full head of hair. Now, there may be some comparisons to The Boy Who Lived’s nemesis, but of course, he shall not be named…

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Much of Ten Hag’s argument seems to centre around his latest signing, Manuel Ugarte who the Red Devils brought in from PSG. Per BBC Sport, the Dutchman said, “Manuel Ugarte did not play one minute - he needs to build his fitness… I am sure he will contribute to our team. It will take a couple of weeks, maybe even a month,” suggesting his excuses around player integration may continue.

The United manager also found himself involved in an unedifying exchange with a reporter, asking, “maybe you can explain me which mistakes we make regular?” Ian Ladyman of Mail Sport responded, “Constantly turning over the ball in your own half, playing the ball out from the back, getting mugged, chances coming off the back of it,” suggesting he may have a solid understanding of the situation.

Ten Hag responded petulantly, asking Ladyman if he was sure with his answer before saying, “I don't think otherwise we would win trophies as we did and to beat big opponents so I am sorry for you,” per Mail Sport. Ten Hag doubled down on his claims by pointing out his side won the second-most trophies behind Man City last season.

This is not the first time Ten Hag and Ladyman have clashed, with the Mail Sport reporter previously questioning Ten Hag’s side after their FA Cup final victory over City. Ten Hag then claimed, “you don't understand managing a football career.”

Many of United’s issue revolve around Casemiro’s rapidly declining ability in the middle of the pitch, with Liverpool’s first two goals coming directly from the former Madrid man’s mistakes. Ten Hag claimed, “I am sure he will keep contributing to our team,” after the match, per BBC Sport. Which could be true, just not in the way any United fan may want.

For some, Ten Hag’s defensive attitude is getting tiresome. Despite his FA Cup win last season, United finished eighth in the Premier League with a negative goal difference, now, through three games, his team is 14th, having won once and lost twice, scoring only twice in the process.

With new part-owner Jim Ratcliffe in attendance at Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s days could well be numbered unless there is a rapid turnaround. Oddschecker now has the United man as the second-most likely manager to be fired in the Premier League, behind only Sean Dyche of Everton. Getting thrashed at home and arguing with journalists probably isn’t helping his cause…

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