“I didn’t put Cristiano out of respect”

Manchester United arrived in form. Victorious in his last matches and with the feeling of being able to surprise his neighbor. A mirage. The light blue ones beat the red ones, offering them a bath of reality. The distance between both teams remains wide. Erik ten Hag spoke at a press conference after the match, excusing the defeat on the lack of faith of his players and explaining the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro, who arrived at Old Trafford this summer from Real Madrid.

What happened to the United players today?

We failed to believe it. We didn’t defend properly and we weren’t brave with possession. We had many technical and decision-making failures. So can not be. We have to act as a team and believe it. It is something that we have already shown. In the last five games we have had the right attitude, we have believed it and we have caused problems for our rivals. Not today. I think it is something normal in our process. We have to accept it and learn from it.

Is Cristiano the third striker? Why didn’t he play today and Martial did?

I didn’t put it out of respect for him and his career. We were 4-1. And Anthoy Martial needed minutes after his injury.

Due to his experience, the fans might have expected Casemiro to start, is he not ready yet?

When we signed him we started to win. The team was doing well and McTominay was doing well. I am sure it will be important in the future.