Erik ten Hag fires back at Jamie Carragher over Man Utd criticism

Erik ten Hag has fired back at Jamie Carragher for his recent criticism of Manchester United.

Carragher strongly criticized United's defending in the defeat against Fulham.

The former Liverpool player questioned the instructions given to the players as he analysed a clip from the kick-off involving young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

Carragher went on to analyse different players’ positions, saying: “These players can’t receive the ball in the positions they take up so actually there is a massive problem for United when they’ve got the ball.

Ten Hag was questioned on Carragher's comments in his pre-match press conference ahead of their FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest. The United manager made it clear he was not happy with the former Liverpool player's analysis.

"First of all, some analysts are very objective in their comments. Very good advice, some are very subjective. Jamie Carragher from the first moment on has criticised and now he wants to make his point," Ten Hag explained.

"Probably in the first half an hour, yeah, he had a point. Fulham in their midfield set up surprised us a little bit and then we have to find the solutions. After half an hour we found the solutions."

United have now suffered 15 defeats this season, and their European campaign came to a bitter end when they finished at the bottom of Champions League Group.

As well as their European woes, their defense of the League Cup ended early, with elimination in the second round.

Manchester United- Getty

Fulham's victory at the weekend handed United their eighth home defeat of the campaign, leaving them just one loss short of the club's record for most losses at Old Trafford in a single season.

With United nowhere near the title race this season, Ten Hag highlighted the importance of the FA Cup for the club.

"When you are unbeaten for January and February, then you lose one game...Obviously it was a poor performance, poor defeat.

"We want to stay in every competiton. That doesn't change our approach, because that is for every match."