Community Shield: 'We have to hurt' - Erik Ten Hag reflects on Manchester United's penalty defeat to Manchester City

Erik ten Hag has said that his Manchester United side "has to hurt" following their penalty shootout defeat to local rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley. Manuel Akanji scored the winning spot kick after Jonny Evans had skied his, while Jadon Sancho and Bernardo Silva both missed from 12 yards. Alejandro Garnacho had put United ahead on 82 minutes, but Silva's header levelled.

Watch USA's women celebrate winning football gold as Cruise and Rapinoe applaud

Video credit: TNT Sports

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that his team "has to hurt" after their penalty shootout defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield.

Alejandro Garnacho had emerged off the bench to put United 1-0 up with eight minutes to play at Wembley Stadium, picking up from where he left off last season, having scored against City in the FA Cup final back in May, which United won 2-1.

However, Bernardo Silva played the role of super-sub for Pep Guardiola's Citizens, as his powerful header on 89 minutes forced an immediate penalty shootout, with no extra time periods in the Community Shield.

FA Community Shield

City earn Wembley bragging rights over United after shootout win in curtain-raiser

10/08/2024 at 15:15

Silva stepped up first for City but missed his spot kick, giving United an advantage straight away, but returning winger Jadon Sancho, who made a substitute appearance here following his bust-up and subsequent loan move back to former club Borussia Dortmund, spurned his penalty.

The sides continued to trade conversions into sudden death, but it was veteran centre-back Jonny Evans who skied his effort, leaving Manuel Akanji, who missed a crucial penalty for Switzerland against England at Euro 2024, with the chance to score and earn City their first Community Shield title since 2019.

Having had the upper hand twice in the encounter - once in regulation time and the other during the shootout - ten Hag said that United needed to use the hurt they were feeling to spur them on into the league season, which begins next weekend.

"Tough result to take," ten Hag told ITV.

"When the performance is right, when you lose everyone feels this. It hurts in your stomach. You have to feel pain and we have to hurt. We have to take this belief in to the league.

"We managed to be on an equal level with Man City and got [Marcus] Rashford high on the pitch and good defending. We created chances, we got pressure in the ball and in possession we had some very good chances from this so there are many positives we can take."

In the Dutchman's post-match press conference, he was asked about potential incomings, with reports claiming that Matthijis de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, the Bayern Munich defenders, are set to arrive at Old Trafford.

"When we have some news then we will announce it and until that point we work with the squad that is available," ten Hag replied.

"It is clear we have problems and the players have to work to be available and the staff have to work so that the players are available."

He was also asked about Marcus Rashford's performance, with the spotlight on the England forward after his indifferent form last season cost him a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2024.

'His contribution was massive' - Guardiola hails departing Alvarez

Video credit: SNTV

"I think he was several times in very good positions," ten Hag said. "I am very pleased he is getting in those positions.

"Keep going and keep getting in those positions and he will score goals."

Ten Hag's counterpart in the opposing dugout, Guardiola, seemed pleased with his side's performance ahead of their own league campaign, where the Citizens are bidding for a fifth Premier League title in a row.

"I enjoyed the season against our rival in Manchester and to start the season with a title is good," Guardiola told ITV. "We are really pleased.

"We lost a lot of balls, after transitions they are one of the best teams in the world. They are so dangerous to control. But in the end we did it.

"Now we see how the players come back. The target now is not to win the Premier League, it is 'OK next game try and win it'. This is what we have to do."

The Spaniard also said that he "loved" the "personality" that Akanji showed to step up and take the winning penalty, especially after his personal disappointment in Germany.

In his post-match press conference, Guardiola said that he saw a lot of elements from his side that he liked, but others that had room for improvement.

"I saw many things today that I like," he said. "The first 35 minutes were beyond excellent for the time together. Still we are far from our best, that is normal. It is better to win one trophy but the reality is nothing changed.

"We played really good and at the end the ball is not stable and both players miss a lot of long balls.

"Manchester United are so dangerous in transitions, they are really good and one of the best teams in that concept."

'It's quite clear' - Maresca insists Fernandez has respect of Chelsea squad

Video credit: SNTV

He lauded new signing Savinho, who made his competitive debut off the bench, as well as goalkeeper Ederson, who took and scored a penalty in the shootout - one which he had to score to ensure City remained in the contest.

"[Savinho had a] good impact playing both sides," Guardiola said.

"He is really good, look at the goal we scored - high line and cross but not just inside, he was aggressive.

"Always with wingers, if you have the confidence attack the defenders, he did really well."

"[Ederson] is our best penalty taker. Along with Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne. All three are our best."

discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.

Premier League

Beating 'lower-class teams' now key to Man United's title challenge - Ten Hag

10/08/2024 at 07:19

FA Community Shield

Ten Hag has 'question marks' over four Man United defenders for Community Shield

08/08/2024 at 19:49