Erik ten Hag bemoans wasteful Man United after 3-0 pre-season beating by Liverpool but insists Jadon Sancho IS a ‘good option’ up front

Erik ten Hag rued his side’s missed chances as Manchester United suffered a 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool in Saturday’s pre-season friendly in the United States.

Liverpool made it three wins from three in their tour of the United States as they eased to victory over their rivals in South Carolina.

77,559 were in attendance at the Williams-Brice Stadium as Fabio Carvalho capitalised on some poor defending to give the Reds a 10th-minute lead.

Curtis Jones made it 2-0 before half-time with Kostas Tsimikas adding a third after the break.

Speaking after the game, Ten Hag said: ‘We created a lot of chances. It was the truth. Liverpool played well and took their chances. We created good chances but we didn’t take them. We need to be more clinical.

Erik ten Hag says his side have to be more clinical after Saturday’s defeat to Liverpool

Jadon Sancho started up front and Ten Hag believes he is a ‘good option’ in that position

‘In the end, it is fatigue. We are 12 or 13 days underway and it is a tough game. But maybe we miss the freshness to overfuel or to have the power to finish clinically. 

Jadon Sancho started the game up front for United and Ten Hag was questioned on his future in the No9 position.

‘Otherwise we don’t play him there. That is what we can do if we don’t have the availability of Rasmus. Of course, Joshua Zirkzee is coming in. 

‘He has started training. But he is not so long in training so it will take time and he has to adjust to English football and our way of playing. Jadon can of course as a striker. He can also play in wide areas but it could be he is a good option.

Ten Hag was also asked about Marcus Rashford’s potential as the lone forward. 

United were made to pay for their missed chances as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 win

‘I think Marcus has done it before, he can do it and it is definitely an option,’ he said.

‘But I think he is more productive from the left inside, when he is coming inside, so when he can arrive there he is most effective. But we also have Bruno Fernandes as a striker as well.

As for the defence, Ten Hag said: ‘We have good options in the centre-back position. Harry Maguire was a precaution. Jonny Evans was ill and we had to take him out at half-time. Licha Martinez, coming back from Copa America as a winner. He played all the games there so I think he is in very good form. We have good options in the central back position.’

The Dutchman also discussed the possibility of more arrivals before the end of the transfer window.

‘It is always difficult to say,’ he said. ‘We hope. We are always looking. This new leadership team is really eager to do business. To make deals. They are on it. But we have to wait if the timing is there, if the opportunities are there. I can’t say in this moment but I am sure when they are there, we will go forward.