Erik ten Hag makes painful Manchester United admission after ‘unacceptable’ Sevilla debacle

Erik ten Hag has blasted Manchester United’s disastrous Europa League performance against Sevilla as completely “unacceptable” as he conceded that his players simply did not want it enough.

The Red Devils slumped to a humiliating, error-strewn 3-0 loss at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Spain on Thursday night, dumping them out of the quarter-finals of Europe’s secondary club competition 5-2 on aggregate after United had initially thrown away a 2-0 first-leg lead to draw at Old Trafford last week.

United’s abject display was littered with costly mistakes, with Youssef En-Nesyri profiting from a dreadful Harry Maguire blunder to put six-time competition winners Sevilla ahead early and later rounding off the night by completing his brace after shocking play from goalkeeper David de Gea.

Such a listless defeat ruined the Carabao Cup holders’ chances of lifting three pieces of major silverware this term and left them needing to pick themselves up quickly for an FA Cup semi-final showdown with high-flying Brighton at Wembley on Sunday.

Afterwards, Ten Hag painfully admitted that Sevilla - who currently sit below mid-table in LaLiga - were simply more “up” for the occassion than his well-beaten side, who do at least remain firmly on track for Champions League qualification for next season after three straight top-flight wins.

"I have to acknowledge (that). It's the truth,” the Dutchman said. "It's hard, it's tough, but it's the truth. It can't be and it's unacceptable, but I think we showed in the past we can quickly bounce back.

"We did it between games many times this season but what we have to learn is to start games better, with more desire, more composure on the ball and when you get the setback you have to deal with it and carry on."

He added: “It’s the truth that we have to be better. It’s not about playing skills. No, it is about character, so be composed, desire and passion.

“They had more willingness to win. It can’t be and I think it’s unacceptable. After City, after Liverpool, after Brentford, and every time we bounce back.

“So in that perspective this team has character so have very good mental skills but in some occasions we are not there.

“I think we have to accept that now but it’s unacceptable because everyone can see the demands and standard has to be higher in a club as Manchester United.”