Erik ten Hag Applauds Man United’s Resilience After Draw Against Athletic Bilbao
Manchester United showcased their determination by battling back from a frustrating early setback to secure a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, closing their pre-season campaign on a positive note.
In a match that took place at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Facundo Pellestri’s last-minute equalizer, assisted by Harry Maguire, led to a hard-fought tie against a 10-man Bilbao side.
Although, for the second time in two days, the team found themselves trailing after Harry Maguire’s error led to Bilbao gaining an advantage in the first half.
Erik ten Hag, speaking to the club’s official website, praised the team’s character: “In one weekend, two times we are losing, but you see this team have character and that’s what you need in a season as well. Sometimes you are down and then you have to show resilience and especially in such moments, you need determination.”
The manager acknowledged that the team’s performance demonstrated their capacity to rebound, stating, “We have shown that this weekend, it was a good weekend for us.”
Maguire, who has been at the center of speculation about his future and was replaced as captain by Bruno Fernandes, was part of a lineup that underwent 11 changes from the team that triumphed 3-1 over Lens the previous day.
Despite an encouraging start that included a chance from Jadon Sancho, the team conceded a goal in a rather unfortunate manner. However, the comeback spirit prevailed, with Pellistri converting Maguire’s assist into a crucial goal.
Reflecting on the game, ten Hag pointed out the team’s unwavering effort, noting, “We don’t give up. We fight until the end. Finally, we got the equaliser and I thought it was justified. We wanted a good result, to finish the pre-season well.”
The match showcased United’s tenacity and their ability to overcome challenges, providing optimism for the upcoming season.
