Erik ten Hag blames UEFA Europa League ball for David de Gea poor kicking

The ball used in the Europa League may have been to blame for David de Gea's poor kicking in Manchester United's win over Real Betis, manager Erik ten Hag has suggested.

De Gea miskicked on several occasions as United won 4-1 in the first leg of their last 16 tie at Old Trafford on Thursday night, and it almost led to a second goal for Ayoze Perez when the former Newcastle and Leicester player hit the post in the second half.

Ten Hag will speak to De Gea – who recently broke United's clean sheet record – before Sunday's game at home to Southampton.

But the United manager believes the different ball used in European competitions and windy conditions at Old Trafford were a factor in the Spaniard's shaky performance.

Europa League matches use balls by Molten, a Japanese company, whereas the Premier League uses a Nike ball.

'I can't ignore it, but I think we have seen many games he did really well,' said Ten Hag.

'I don't know what the reason was. There was a lot of wind, a different ball, and probably he had some problems with that, but I know we can deal with it and he will do better Sunday.

'We will work on it but David is working on that. I think we have seen in this season that he is improving and he will keep improving, I'm sure.'

Having put last weekend's 7-0 drubbing at Liverpool behind them, United will be wary not to under-estimate struggling Saints, who beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month.

'We have seen two weeks ago Southampton beat Chelsea away, so we have to play an outstanding performance on Sunday to beat them,' added Ten Hag.

'At the bottom it's very close, so they will be on the front foot, they will be aggressive, they will do everything they can do to collect points here, so we have to be 100 per cent.'