Erik ten Hag: Manchester United made unacceptable mistakes against Arsenal

Erik ten Hag has said that Manchester United made unacceptable mistakes in their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal, but insisted his side will learn from their errors.

United took the lead through a stunning long-range effort from Marcus Rashford before Eddie Nketiah levelled the scoreline for the home side in the first half.

Arsenal then took the lead in the second period through a wonderful strike from Bukayo Saka, before Lisandro Martinez got the visitors back in the match via a looping header.

Nketiah eventually scored the winner to seal all three points for the north London side after stabbing the ball past David de Gea in the dying minutes at the Emirates.

Speaking after the game, Ten Hag says he wasn't satisfied with his team's performance, adding that United could have avoided conceding the three goals they did.

He said to Sky Sports: "Two games back-to-back really close. It's hard to accept that you lose in the last stage of the game.

"We made mistakes with all three goals, normally we are better in such situations. It can't happen.

"We've had a lot of games that they didn't have then they come here and are at home. We had moments on the break but we have to defend much better in that situation.

"We started the game very well, scored, are leading and then make so many mistakes that are actually unacceptable. We have to learn the lesson and move on.

"The two first goals start with a corner and we make so many mistakes from the corner to the goal. It can't happen. It's a lesson we have to take, we will face the players with this because it can't happen. Good teams don't make such mistakes."

Pressed on if the result is a reality check, Ten Hag added: "It can be. Today we have to accept. We are not satisfied with this defining performance because we can do better. You start well and you have to take benefit from that situation. It can't happen that you concede like we did."

"This is one game. Last week we did very well. We kept them away from our box better and when they were in our box, we defended better."

Ten Hag was also asked about United's mentality during his post-match press conference, with Nketiah's winner becoming the second last-minute goal United have conceded in two matches following Michael Olise's equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.

Although Ten Hag admitted that his side have made progress in their mentality levels, he believes there is still room for improvement if they are wanting to compete for titles in the future.

"Maybe in the next couple of hours realise we are in a good position, realise we are in a good development, a good process, but at this moment I am annoyed," he said.

"I also told the players if you want to win trophies, titles, you have to change our mentality because it's not possible you are in a top game, you're making three such big mistakes where you concede goals. Especially the last goal, you have to feel the game on that point, a point was the maximum and then you have to take the point and you can't give such a goal away like we did on top level. Then you can't win trophies."

When asked about a mentality change, he claimed: "I think with coaching, I think we can change that, we have already seen how the mentality from the players has changed over the last couple of months but we also have to notice today we have a way to go to be on top level."

United will now be preparing for their upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.