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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Erik ten Hag makes feelings on David de Gea and Harry Maguire very clear as Man Utd lose

Erik ten Hag has made clear mistakes made by his Manchester United side cost them as they were dumped out of the Europa League by Sevilla.

It is important to note that while Ten Hag didn't single out or name any individuals, it was apparent he was frustrated with the manner in which United were eliminated from a competition they harboured real hopes of winning.

The Spanish side ran out 3-0 winners in the second leg to progress as 5-2 aggregate winners in what was an evening to forget for two of United's most experienced players in David de Gea and Harry Maguire.

Following the full-time whistle, Ten Hag told BT Sport: "It’s clear. When we make such mistakes, it’s difficult to win a football game.

"It’s a problem and we have to acknowledge it but against Brighton, we have an opportunity to work on that. You have seen what I have seen. We were not composed or calm."

De Gea endured an absolutely torrid night back in his home country of Spain and was arguably at fault for all three of the goals his side conceded.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should United look to upgrade on both De Gea and Maguire in the summer? Comment below

Harry Maguire put in a disastrous display against Sevilla (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The Red Devils found themselves 1-0 down inside the opening eight minutes after the goalkeeper played a dangerous pass to Harry Maguire, who had his pocket picked before Youssef El-Nesryi fired the hosts in front.

While many blamed Maguire initially, BT Sport commentator Robbie Savage was particularly vocal in his stance that the shot-stopper was to blame for giving the centre-back the ball in the first place.

Just two minutes into the second-half Sevilla doubled their lead. Loic Bade's looping header seemed to catch De Gea off guard as the Spaniard got caught out underneath the effort, which cannoned in over the line off the crossbar.

The worst, however, was still yet to come. A long, looping ball was sent in the direction of De Gea outside the penalty area, but his horrendous attempt to control it went wrong in spectacular fashion.

His poor touch found the feet of El-Nesryi, who curled his strike beyond the stranded De Gea to send Sevilla into dreamland and United out of the competition.

Ten Hag did publicly issue his support for De Gea during his post-match media duties when he said: "David de Gea as a long-term goalkeeper? He is the one with the cleanest sheets in the Premier League."

After the game, Paul Scholes was not as forgiving as bemoaned the kind of tone De Gea set for the game with his mistakes.

David de Gea had a miserable evening between the sticks for Man United ((Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images))

"Right from the very first minute the goalkeeper, David De Gea, he kicks the ball out and from then on he's a nervous wreck," the United legend claimed.

"This is one of your most experienced players - a top Spanish goalkeeper, in his own country. You don't expect that kind of thing.

"You have to question the goalkeeper. I think Ten Hag will want to play out from the back and De Gea is not a fantastic footballer. You saw the pass he played. You have to read the situation."

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