Ten Hag bemoans late Burnley equaliser: ´It´s so unnecessary´

Erik ten Hag was left frustrated as Manchester United “gave it away” against a spirited Burnley, who held them to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils were on course to claim all three points when Antony pounced on Sander Berge’s error to open the scoring in the 79th minute, as they looked to close the gap on fifth-place Tottenham to four points.

However, the hosts could not hold on as Andre Onana was penalised for a foul on Zeki Amdouni, who picked himself up to level from the penalty spot and salvage a point for the visitors three minutes from time.

Ten Hag was made to rue his side’s wastefulness as they converted just one of their 27 shots on goal throughout the contest.

“We put ourselves in a winning position and, over long courses of the game, we dominated,” he told the BBC. “We played some good football – creating loads of chances – and then to give it away in the end in the final minutes, it’s so unnecessary.

“Every team gives up opportunities. But, when it is up to us, it is weird. We created loads of chances as well.

“We are one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in the league at this moment. We are creating loads of chances by playing good football.

“We lost control in the second part of the first half when we conceded some chances, but the rest of the game was ours. We were in a winning position, and we gave it away.”

A point at Old Traffordpic.twitter.com/ED6DKGLN3X

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany saluted the character demonstrated by Burnley, who boosted their Premier League survival hopes by moving to within two points of safety with three games remaining.

“We are where we are in the league for a reason, so not everything can be perfect, but the mentality was perfect – the togetherness, the sacrifice for each other,” the Clarets boss said.

“There is tremendous consistency in the club and the approach to each game, even in tough times. We’ve earned the right to believe and hope.”