Despite no Premier League action during the international break, embattled Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag still couldn't escape a defeat.
Ten Hag returned to his native Holland where he took the reins of his former club FC Utrecht in a testimonial fixture.
The event was a celebration for Utrecht club legend Mark van der Maarel, who enjoyed a 15-year stint at the club before retiring at the end of last season.
In fact, Utrecht was the only club Van der Maarel ever played for, registering nearly 400 appearances for them from 2009 to 2024.
Van der Maarel, a defender, spent two seasons under Ten Hag, who managed Utrecht from May 2015 to December 2017 when he was poached by Ajax.
Ten Hag also enjoyed a spell at Utrecht as a player for the 1995-96 Eredivisie season.
Several of Van der Maarel's teammates throughout the years returned for the occasion as they faced a team of Utretcht's current stars.
Ten Hag was in charge of the ex-Utrecht stars but was unable to guide them to victory as they lost 2-1, with Van der Maarel scoring a late consolation.
After the match, Ten Hag hailed Van der Maarel for his vast contribution to Utrecht.
'If you stay at this club for so long, you are a character,' Ten Hag said.
'He has so deserved this.'
Ten Hag's attention now turns towards United, who have had a poor start to the Premier League season.
The goodwill built up from the 1-0 victory over Fulham on the opening day has largely evaporated after the Red Devils slipped to a 2-1 loss to Brighton and 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Speaking after the Liverpool contest, Ten Hag insisted he is not 'Harry Potter' and claimed United had plenty of problems left to fix.
'It is the third game of the season,' Ten Hag said.
'I have had to explain this so many times. We have to build them in the team and it will take time. We will be fine but it is clear we have to improve.
'At the end of the season I am quite confident we will have a big chance to lift another trophy.'
Ten Hag will look to keep the doubters at bay when United travel to Southampton on September 14.
Alopenu
0
its obvious Ronaldo fans are foolish
they re the most dumbest fan base ever 😁
Alopenu
0
Is common for his team to lose. M.U should have sacked him earlier and kept Sancho
Who is Sancho and what has he won...?
Alopenu
0
Stupid coach with stupid results, fully deserved it stupid manager
stop crying and support another team
Alopenu
0
Man united and ETH shame Just the shame me😫
go support another team
onyekachukwuma
0
Ten hag, we really need a win against Southampton, all the very best Coach
zapbcdmops
0
Erik Ten Hag needs to apologies to Cristiano Ronaldo that only way he will return to victory
its obvious Ronaldo fans are foolish
prince326
0
Man united and ETH shame Just the shame me😫
Hareshdevil
1
But But.... he will follow the plan[Crylaugh]
simabrsu
3
the man don't care about Manchester United
Fobbklnprt
3
Stupid coach with stupid results, fully deserved it stupid manager
Fobbklnprt
3
Stupid coach with stupid results, fully deserved it
BeckMathew
3
Ten hag is under gravity free fall.. 😂
Fokbeklps
3
Is common for his team to lose. M.U should have sacked him earlier and kept Sancho
Colito
0
Why is he wasting time with a testimonial, he should be trying to save his job at united instead of wasting his time on games like this
go back to school
Colito
2
this media 🚮
cehaeioruy
4
Erik Ten Hag needs to apologies to Cristiano Ronaldo that only way he will return to victory
rupdemopru
0
Why is he wasting time with a testimonial, he should be trying to save his job at united instead of wasting his time on games like this
African man
damik
3
Why is he wasting time with a testimonial, he should be trying to save his job at united instead of wasting his time on games like this
heebimnpry
3
So he was even unable to make testimony about his lossing matches hahaha
LeGros237
0
Some fools only comment without getting the facts straight. How do you expect him to win a testimonial game with legends against current players? Learn to use your heads please. Not everything you read on this app is as it is. Once people start learning that this app will soon be useless, that's why they keep on giving misleading headlines so that people will get attracted to their app.
For real bro.... This autty writer is full of misleading articles
LeGros237
0
Mctominay could have had a testimonial match at Man U too...
Has he retired?
banilpsu
2
he is addicted to defeat. give him more game he will be easily defeated anywhere, everywhere he go.
podinptuyz
0
Some fools only comment without getting the facts straight. How do you expect him to win a testimonial game with legends against current players? Learn to use your heads please. Not everything you read on this app is as it is. Once people start learning that this app will soon be useless, that's why they keep on giving misleading headlines so that people will get attracted to their app.
I am also wondering how people expect a team of old legends to beat the current stars
jhkr
3
bt people say dat he need time at united wat about there
jhkr
3
Ten hag checking bk to premier league after the international break
JohnDuggan92
3
All he does is Lose, lose, lose no matter what 🙄🤔
Nezbdisyz
2
Just imagine this ETH he has a bad luck,he will carry it where ever he will go,so United must realize this 2-1 he lose again at his home town this time we are finished united bad lack is in our club ooooooh.
Tiedikmrtz
3
nothing wil change. The rhythm of playing is so boring. . No attacking style at all.. The way they playing as if they are 3 goals up.
Hoadklruyz
3
he's just full of himself
mapbcelt
5
he is both a professional and an amateur loser lol
Aetaemoelae01
3
Just say TEN HAG has TEN HAGED again
musblnsuyz
0
Defeat is in Ten Hag's DNA.
you are an attention seeker. full of negative energy
Naycdknr
2
Defeat is in Ten Hag's DNA.
AFerhpTQ7189
0
Please dont sack eth. We need intertainment every week
Yes we need intermilan 🤣🤣
Yamadoprt
1
Only way to escaped defeat is to Quit from MU
lukikmnrsz
1
Mctominay could have had a testimonial match at Man U too...
Kesadlor
1
prepared for relegation fight
Niucikmpru
1
Southampton 2 Man United 1
letbikprst
0
Please dont sack eth. We need intertainment every week
Its very true😁
Tihcloty
2
It is clear all football like writing trash about United and ten hag ...
Viyeikpstz
1
ETH is a coach who if provided with the best players he does know how to loose. his excuse now is he did not have adequate routines with his former club and players are not known to him. he also says that the former club has changed all players without his knowledge. a scrap to the core don't know how he passed the exams.
weebdkmrtu
6
Some fools only comment without getting the facts straight. How do you expect him to win a testimonial game with legends against current players? Learn to use your heads please. Not everything you read on this app is as it is. Once people start learning that this app will soon be useless, that's why they keep on giving misleading headlines so that people will get attracted to their app.
DonErix
5
Please dont sack eth. We need intertainment every week
Lupbiopst
1
🙆🙆🙆🙆🙆
Labadkotyz
2
former&m.u sack ETH
bamadiloty
0
This useless Coach, Erik et hag, should stay at his former team back his home land. Shouldn’t destroy again Manchester United team.
He destroyed already now he is just busy burying them
Wasciktz
5
Born to lose
QueriisFiasi
5
he was coaching club legends ahainst current stars. cut him some slack pls[Comeon]
nahadmtuz
3
This useless Coach, Erik et hag, should stay at his former team back his home land. Shouldn’t destroy again Manchester United team.
fiybinpruy
0
I don't like him at all.. let us sack him