Erik ten Hag bullish on big Manchester United positive from Community Shield defeat

Erik ten Hag was pleased with his team’s performance at Wembley (Picture: Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag felt his Manchester United side showed they can compete with Manchester City on an equal footing in the Community Shield and intends to take confidence from that going into the Premier League season.

City won the Community Shield at Wembley but it was as close as it can be, with the Premier League champions needing a penalty shootout to beat their local rivals after a 1-1 draw.

Alejandro Garnacho put the Red Devils ahead after 82 minutes before a late equaliser from Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese then missed in the shootout, but Jadon Sancho and Jonny Evans also failed from the spot and City got their hands on the trophy.

Pep Guardiola’s team started the match well and were pretty dominant for the first 20 minutes or so, but United found their feet and looked good after a shaky beginning.

Ten Hag’s side created the better chances and really should have scored more than just Garnacho’s impressive goal as Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay missed good chances.

The Dutchman was quickly looking on the bright side after a frustrating loss and hopes his team will be boosted by their performance.

Asked for positives, he told ITV: ‘That we managed to be on an equal level with [Man] City. By getting [Marcus] Rashford high on the pitch and good defending, we did that very well.

Marcus Rashford had an underwhelming afternoon at Wembley (Picture: Getty Images)

‘We got pressure in the ball and also in possession, in the overloading situation in the midfield we had some very good spells, very good play-throughs and created chances from this so there are many positives we can take.’

Ten Hag was initially asked if it was a tough loss to take and he said: ‘Yes, definitely. When the performance is right, when you are winning and lose everyone feels this.

‘It hurts in your stomach. We have to take this, but you have to hurt, you have to feel pain now because that will drive us, that will give us motivation to do better.

‘The positive we can take out of this is we can compete with City. We have to take this belief into the league.’

Ten Hag defended Rashford’s performance (Picture: Getty Images)

Rashford missed two good chances for the Red Devils and, as he did for all of last season, looked some way from his best.

Ten Hag, though, defended his forward when his performance was questioned in a post-match press conference, saying: ‘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.’

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