Erik ten Hag said he was proud of the performance from Manchester United after his side earned a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Manchester United fought back from a goal down to turn the game around at Old Trafford, as spectacular strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo cancelled out Luis Diaz’s opener for Liverpool.
The visitors had dominated the first half with United failing to register a single shot on goal, though the Red Devils improved after the break to get back into the game.
Fernandes’ goal was a stunning strike as he intercepted a loose pass from Jarrell Quansah and fired in from distance, before Mainoo netted a wonderful second for his first-ever Old Trafford goal.
Mohamed Salah’s late penalty earned Liverpool a draw late on and Ten Hag said he was proud of his team, despite the ‘mixed emotions’ of losing a lead for the third consecutive Premier League game.
“Very mixed emotions. On one side I am disappointed that we have dropped seven points in one week after being in winning positions, but we have to blame ourselves for making stupid mistakes,” Ten Hag said, speaking to BBC MOTD.
“On the other side I am very proud. You see how we are improving and the potential of this squad is amazing – I am proud.
“In decisive areas we were losing battles especially with young players we were not confident to win them [duels].
“We encouraged in the second half to do better and they stepped up.”
Ten Hag handed a start to teenager centre-back Willy Kambwala and said he was delighted with the display of the youngster amid the club’s depleted defensive options.
“He has been training a while with us and progressing well.
“The next generation need to step in and he is doing brilliant. The challenge for him is doing it consistently.
“Great opportunity for him and we have other options like bringing Casemiro in at centre-half, but today he deserved it and he showed it on the pitch.”
