
Erik ten Hag hails Man Utd’s character as fightback earns friendly Bilbao draw
Erik ten Hag praised Manchester United’s character after they fought back from conceding a “stupid” goal to end their pre-season campaign with a draw against Athletic Bilbao. Facundo Pellestri’s stoppage-time equaliser, which was set up by Harry Maguire, secured a 1-1 draw with 10-man Bilbao at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon. However for the second time in 48 hours, they had to come from behind after Maguire’s error had gifted the LaLiga outfit a first-half lead. Ten Hag told the club’s official website: “In one weekend, two times we are losing, but you see this team have character and that’s what you need in a season as well. “Sometimes you are down and then you have to show resilience and especially in such moments, you need determination. We have shown that this weekend, it was a good weekend for us. “Yesterday I thought it was a very good level, today I have seen also very good spells. “I think the start of the game was also very good and we should have scored a goal to go up, because it was a great chance from Jadon Sancho. “We had some good moments after that as well and it was stupid how we went down, but as I said, we had a result and we came back so it was a good weekend for us.” Maguire, who was replaced as United captain by Bruno Fernandes during a summer of speculation over his future, was included as one of 11 changes to the side which beat Lens 3-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday, but there was no place for injured £72million signing Rasmus Hojlund, a day after he had been presented to the club’s fans. Ten Hag’s men might have got off to the perfect start when Pellistri played Sancho in behind the Athletic defence with just four minutes gone, but his attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Unai Simon. Goalkeeper Tom Heaton was called upon to claim Inaki Williams’ 15th-minute strike as the Spaniards responded and they though they had been awarded a 25th-minute penalty, seconds after United had seen their appeals waved away at the other end. Referee Neil Doyle initially pointed to the spot after Nico Williams had been brought down by Alvaro Fernandez, only for the official to change his mind and award a free-kick, with which Heaton dealt comfortably. However, the LaLiga side took the lead with 29 minutes gone when Oihan Sancet capitalised on Maguire’s slip-up to feed Nico Williams, who fired past the advancing goalkeeper. Eighteen-year-old Dan Gore tested Simon as the second half got under way with neither side taking a backward step. But Bilbao’s hopes of retaining their advantage were dealt a blow with 24 minutes remaining when last man Aitor Paredes was given a straight red card for hauling back Hannibal Mejbri after conceding possession to the Tunisia midfielder. We don’t give up. We fight until the end Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag Hannibal passed up a glorious opportunity to level when he volleyed the ball over from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross, but redemption arrived deep into stoppage time when Maguire headed down another Wan-Bissaka delivery for Pellistri to steer home the equaliser. Ten Hag said: “We don’t give up. We fight until the end. Finally, we got the equaliser and I thought it was justified. “We wanted a good result, to finish the pre-season well.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Bryson DeChambeau fires record-breaking 58 on way to LIV Golf Greenbrier title Kylian Mbappe to be barred from training with PSG first team Arsenal ‘obviously paid way too much’ for Declan Rice, says Roy Keane
2023-08-07 05:47

Sweden heads to Women's World Cup looking to end run of near misses at big tournaments
Sweden heads into the Women's World Cup looking to make up for a run of near misses at major international tournaments
2023-06-27 19:51

Browns starting Joe Flacco against the Rams. Veteran is fourth QB for Cleveland in '23
Joe Flacco will start Sunday for the Cleveland Browns, who are turning to the veteran quarterback to keep them in the playoff chase
2023-12-02 05:59

NFL Rumors: Fins address Claypool trade, Ron Rivera's toasty bun, Trey Lance the spy?
In today's NFL rumors, Mike McDaniel talks Chase Claypool, Ron Rivera squirms on the hot seat, and the 49ers downplay worried about a certain Cowboys spy.
2023-10-07 02:49

Rasmus Hojlund discusses 'proud' Man Utd debut & opens up on Casemiro incident
Rasmus Hojlund has give his thoughts on his Man Utd debut, and revealed what Casemiro said to him during a penalty box incident.
2023-09-06 19:22

Cummins hails 'rare' Starc talent for World Cup wicket record
Australia captain Pat Cummins on Friday hailed fast bowler Mitchell Starc as a "rare" talent for his record of taking a wicket in every World...
2023-10-27 17:54

South Carolina's Kamila Cardoso, at 6-foot-7, gets leading role as the latest big for the Gamecocks
South Carolina 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso has been content the past two seasons playing in the shadow of All-American teammate Aliyah Boston
2023-10-31 23:18

Yankees have comically bad timing on latest bobblehead giveaway
The New York Yankees are holding Luis Severino bobblehead night on Friday! Just don't look at the box score from Thursday.Friday night is bobblehead night in Yankee Stadium. The man of the hour? Luis Severino, the two-time All-Star pitcher who has spent his entire eight-year career with New...
2023-07-08 05:18

Brock Purdy admits it felt good to clap back at Patrick Peterson on the field
Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers got the last laugh after Pittsburgh Steelers CB Patrick Peterson failed to deliver on his promise of an interception.
2023-09-11 08:54

Cardinals scratch Flaherty from start Sunday in London and Hicks is out with illness
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty has been scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday because of hip tightness
2023-06-25 01:58

Why Everton played home games at Anfield before Liverpool took Merseyside stadium
Everton's history of playing home games at Anfield and why they stopped before Liverpool took ownership of the ground.
2023-10-18 18:49

Israel drawn to face Iceland in Euro 2024 playoffs, then would play winner of Bosnia vs. Ukraine
Israel was drawn to face Iceland in the qualifying playoffs for the European Championship, and Ukraine was paired with Bosnia-Herzegovina
2023-11-23 20:23
You Might Like...

Real Madrid confirm departure of defender on season-long La Liga loan

Kohli, Rahul tons power India to 356-2 against Pakistan

No. 20 Miami tries to remain unbeaten at Temple in matchup of old Big East rivals

NFL fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 7

Rob Gronkowski Trashed Mac Jones on FOX NFL Halftime Show: 'It's as Bad as the Fans Have Been Saying'

Mark Cuban working on $3.5B sale of Dallas Mavericks to Sands casino family, AP source says

Tonga eye Romania win as Kefu pleads for more tier-one Tests

Donald Trump's Mugshot Looks Exactly How You'd Expect