Youri Tielemans has acknowledged that a lack of effort within Manchester United’s squad is contributing to the club’s poor run of results, following their 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como on Wednesday.
The loss extended United’s winless streak in all competitions to seven matches, increasing the pressure on the team as they struggle to turn their performances around.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, the Belgian midfielder said the problems extended beyond one area of the team’s performance.
“It’s a combination of everything: tactical, technical, effort. We need to try do better at everything,” Tielemans said.
Manchester United Struggle Against Como
United endured another difficult evening, conceding early in both halves as Como secured a convincing victory.
The hosts scored after just two minutes, before finding the net again four minutes into the second half. United had gone into the break trailing 1-0, but their attempts to recover after half-time failed to produce the desired response.
The defeat followed last week’s 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid, when United conceded after only 53 seconds.
Tielemans admitted that Como had been the better side for much of Wednesday’s encounter.
“There was a lot said at half-time to try and get back into the game, which didn’t happen,” he said.
“We conceded straight away after half-time, and then you try to do something, and we get outplayed. We got outplayed for most of the game, so it was a very disappointing night.”
Midfielder Says United Must Improve Across the Board
Asked to explain why United had struggled so badly, Tielemans said the team needed to improve in every aspect of its performance.
“It’s everything. You can be good tactically but if the effort isn’t there, or the other way round, you have to be good at everything, but tonight we were poor at everything,” he said.
The midfielder added that the team had repeatedly discussed its problems in recent weeks but had yet to demonstrate sufficient improvement on the pitch.
“It’s the same message as we’ve had the last few weeks. We can be here and talk about it, but we have to show it on the pitch,” he said.
Tielemans also apologised to supporters who travelled to watch the team and those who followed the match from home.
“We can only apologise to the fans who travelled, the fans who watched us from home and support us. They’re disappointed and we’re disappointed,” he said.
“The only thing we can do is try to show something on the pitch, which we haven’t done over the last few weeks.”
Tielemans Declines to Comment on Transfer Criticism
The post-match interview marked the second consecutive week that Tielemans had spoken to the media following a disappointing United result.
After the defeat to Atletico Madrid, Lisandro Martinez criticised the club’s hierarchy over its level of investment during the summer transfer window.
Tielemans, who joined United from Aston Villa for £35 million, was asked about Martinez’s comments but declined to address the midfielder’s criticism.
Bournemouth Match Offers Next Opportunity
Manchester United will attempt to end their seven-game winless run when they host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Tielemans and his team-mates will be looking to deliver an improved performance after their latest European defeat, having acknowledged that discussions about the club’s problems must be followed by changes on the pitch.
