Manchester United manager, Eric Tan Haag, expressed his dissatisfaction with the performances of Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony following their 4-2 victory against Newport County.
Despite initially securing a two-goal lead through Kabi Manu and Bruno Fernandez, the Red Devils faced challenges in maintaining control against the League Two side.
Garnacho had a golden opportunity to extend the lead when he struck the crossbar, with both Rasmus Hodgin and Fernandez in promising positions to capitalize on the rebound. Anthony, too, had a close-range effort blocked, leaving Haag critical of the missed chances that could have secured a more comfortable victory.
According to Tan Haag, the turning point in the game occurred after Newport County's first goal. He emphasized that if Garnacho and Anthony had converted their chances in the opening 35 minutes, Newport should not have had the opportunity to stage a comeback. Despite feeling in control during the early stages, Haag believed the team should have been leading 3-0 or 4-0.
Reflecting on the defensive lapse that led to Newport's goal, Haag acknowledged the team's mistake during the defensive transition. He praised the players for regaining control and securing the win, but noted a slight slowdown in the game's pace, which allowed Newport to stay in contention.
Hodgin, visibly frustrated with Garnacho and Anthony throughout the match, managed to score his eighth goal of the season late in the game. However, his celebration was marked by anger, possibly reflecting the overall frustration with the team's missed opportunities and the challenges faced against Newport County. Despite the victory, Tan Haag urged his players to be more clinical in front of goal to avoid unnecessary complications in future matches.
