"It Is Not Acceptable" - Erik Ten Hag Blasts Manchester United Finishing Against Atletico Madrid

Erik ten Hag let his feelings known about Manchester United poor finishing in front of goal against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

The Reds travelled to Norway to face the La Liga side and provided a solid performance, but it was the first pre-season game where they were unable to find the back of the net.

Whilst the absence of Jadon Sancho was felt, Ten Hag's side still were able to carve out opportunities, but were wasteful in front of goal.

Anthony Martial, who has been a standout throughout the tour, lacked the edge with a few good chances, Marcus Rashford could've also done better with his chance early in the game.

As he has done since he started his tenure, Ten Hag recognised both the good and bad from United's performance in Oslo.

"I think it was a tough workout and I think we contributed really well, and I think the performance from our team is really good," he told MUTV.

Manchester United

“In the end it is about the result and the score is not good,

"And you have to take the benefit if you create chances and I think we created many chances, enough to produce at least one goal,

"But we didn’t do, and from the last chances they create they score one. So, at that point, I am not satisfied, and I have told the team it is not acceptable. You have to be sharp in the box, both sides.”

The demands from the manager are clear and high. United will certainly be looking to improve further as they enter the Premier League season.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be one player who stands out in those comments. If he is to stay at the club this season then you'd assume Ten Hag would like him on the pitch, as he's the best finisher at the club. The 37-year-old is set to appear against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday at Old Trafford.

The Dutch manager was impressed with certain areas of United's performance, however.

The team attacked well into space and held onto the ball well against a tough opposition. Yet, the overarching point that the manager is getting across is that they need to be able to play well and win. If they don't then it's not enough.

“I think what I say, our game, our possession game, our transition game I think was really good," he continued.

"So we create a lot of threat for them. We had weapons, we create opportunities, so at that point I was really satisfied.

"Also, on a set play we had a big chance from Harry Maguire and, so we had enough but it wasn’t enough to win the game and that’s always our aim.”

With just over a week until the new campaign begins, United were thrown into the least recognisable pre-season friendly ever.

Tackles flying, yellow cards being produced and eventually a red card for Fred towards the end of the match. It was anything but friendly.

Ten Hag appreciated the intensity of the affair, but added that some moments were certainly over the top as he looks to keep a fit side for the new season.

“Yes, I like [it] competitive. But of course always with respect and I don’t want to have injuries as well, so that’s why you have to keep respect for each other, and I have seen some tackles that were maybe a little bit over the limit.”