Man Utd coach laments dropped points against Leeds

Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag lamented "unacceptable" lapses in concentration after Manchester United had to settle for a point against Leeds on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils squandered the chance to move level on points with Manchester City as they were held to a 2-2 draw in the Premier League. Ten Hag's side left themselves with a mountain to climb at Old Trafford after Leeds took a commanding lead thanks to goals early in either half.

Wilfried Gnoto scored in the very first minute after Bruno Fernandes lost the ball in midfield and Raphael Varane turned the ball into his own net shortly after half-time. Fortunately for the hosts, Marcus Rashford continued his purple patch with another goal and Jadon Sancho scored from the bench, leaving Ten Hag with "mixed feelings".

The Red Devils manager told Sky Sports after the match. "Of course, in the end, we are happy because you win a point, but also you drop two points because we had in each half a very bad start. It's unacceptable, especially in a derby. In every game, but especially a derby, you have to be ready to play and to battle and take responsibility, and that is what we didn't do."

Asked if his players were surprised by Leeds' fast starts in either half, Ten Hag responded: "It looks like [it] but [it] can't be because you know what's going on when there's a derby; they will go front foot, they will go aggressive, they will against a team [such] as [Manchester] United who are on a good run, they will go and try to get into duels, and that is what they did. They counter you and you concede in both halves too quickly goals."

Despite his dismay at his players for being so slow out of the blocks in the first and second halves, Ten Hag was pleased with the desire they showed to fight back. He added: "I have to compliment the team. They showed resilience, determination to fight back and I think we made two great team goals."