Erik ten Hag issues warning to Man Utd stars after gut-wrenching Community Shield defeat
Manchester United were defeated on penalties by Manchester City in the Community Shield in their final game before opening their Premier League season with Friday's clash against Fulham
Erik ten Hag has urged his Manchester United side to carry their hurt from the Community Shield into the upcoming season.
United were defeated by fierce rivals Manchester City in the curtain-raiser at Wembley. They had opened the scoring through Alejandro Garnacho's late strike but were pegged back by Bernardo Silva's header soon after.
Neither side were able to find a second goal in the closing minutes, sending the game to a shootout. While Silva missed his spot-kick, Jadon Sancho saw his saved by Ederson before Jonny Evans skied his attempt over the bar.
That meant City would go on to win, lifting their first Community Shield for three years. But Ten Hag is keen to take the positives from his side's defeat, having pushed the reigning Premier League champions all the way.
READ MORE: Sky Sports fans can save £216 on their bill, here's three other reasons you'll want to pick itREAD MORE: Roy Keane's comments on Alejandro Garnacho speak volumes after stunning Man Utd goal"Tough result to take. When the performance is right, we are winning, if you lose everyone feels this. It hurts in your stomach. We have to take this and we do have to hurt. You have to feel pain now because that will drive us and give us motivation," Ten Hag told ITV Sport.
"What we have to take as a positive out of this is we can compete with City. We have to take this belief in to the league. The second goal is so important. We did very good to produce the second goal in the FA Cup final before half-time and we had the opportunities.
"He [Sancho] is a very good penalty taker and today he missed but that is part of the game. We managed to be on an equal level with Man City and got [Marcus] Rashford high on the pitch and good defending.
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"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."
United certainly had chances to either take the lead before Garancho's goal, or add to it afterwards. The main culprit of missed chances was Marcus Rashford, though Ten Hag backed the attacker as he admitted his squad had some 'problems'.
"No, I think he was several times in very good positions, I am very pleased he is getting in those positions. Keep going and keep getting in those positions and he will score goals," the Dutchman added.
"When we have some news then we will announce it and until that point we work with the squad that is available. 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."
United kick off their new Premier League campaign on Friday night, with Fulham visiting Old Trafford. The Red Devils lost the corresponding fixture in February of last season.
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