Pundit Karen Carney has criticized Manchester United star Christian Eriksen for his comments after his side's UEFA Europa League fixture against FC Twente on Wednesday (September 25).
The Red Devils' opening fixture of the tournament ended in a 1-1 draw. Christian Eriksen took the lead for United in the 35th minute, scoring a fantastic goal. However, the Danish midfielder also played a part in Manchester United's conceding in the second half. Eriksen was dispossessed by Sam Lammers and the Twente forward found the back of the net and equalized.
After the game, Eriksen opened up about how disappointed his team was. The Denmark international claimed that their opposition 'wanted it more' than Manchester United. He said (via Eurosport):
“Mostly disappointed as a team, I think obviously we wanted more but in the end, it was far from good enough. They looked like they wanted it more than us and that can’t be right.“
"Everyone is looking at themselves. Everyone is a professional footballer, they know what to do and know what can’t happen and a game like today, obviously, we don’t lose but it feels like a loss. That’s something that, at home, against Twente can’t happen.“
Eriksen's comments did not sit well with former England player Karen Carney, who insists that attitude cannot fly. She said:
"You can’t have that, that’s unacceptable. You’re at home, you should want it more, you’re 1-0 up, you have to be ruthless. I didn’t see a ruthless edge from United."
Manchester United will next face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday (September 29).
"It’s not good enough" - Owen Hargreaves' thoughts on Manchester United's 1-1 draw against FC Twente
Owen Hargreaves agreed with some of Christian Eriksen's comments, insisting that Manchester United's performance against Twente this week wasn't good enough. The pundit expected the Red Devils to secure all three points at Old Trafford against the Eredivisie side.
While on punditry duty alongside Karen Carney for TNT Sports, Hargreaves chimed in and offered his two cents after she slammed Eriksen for his comments. The former Manchester United midfielder said:
“I didn’t really get that impression that they [Twente] wanted it more. But [Twente’s] energy and effort peaked towards that second half. I thought United, their heads went down after that goal, after that mistake from Eriksen."
He added:
“He’s right, it’s not good enough. At home, 1-1 against a side like Twente, you expect them to win the game and they didn’t get the job done.”
After securing just one point in their Europa League opener, the Red Devils find themselves tenth in the league standings. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag's side are 11th in the Premier League after earning seven points from five games.