Erik Ten Hag urges Man Utd players to use Community Shield loss to rivals City as motivation for new season – as he tells defeated team to ‘feel the pain’ of penalty shootout defeat

Erik Ten Hag wants his defeated Manchester United players to ‘feel the pain’ and use it as motivation after losing the Community Shield 7-6 on penalties to Manchester City.

Misses in the shootout from Jadon Sancho and Jonny Evans cost United, who were minutes away from victory when Alejandro Garnacho gave them a 1-0 lead eight minutes from time.

But after City held their nerve in the shootout having made it that far thanks to Bernardo Silva‘s equalising header in the 89th minute, Ten Hag wants defeat to mean something down the line as United open the Premier League season against Fulham on Friday night.

‘We are disappointed,’ he said. ‘We have to feel the pain and everyone feels the pain, that’s a good signal but also I see some positives.

‘We performed well, we could’ve won this game, we were twice leading in the game and in the penalties, but we lost and we’re disappointed. But we take the positives.’

City held their nerve in the shootout having made it that far thanks to Bernardo Silva’s equalising header in the 89th minute

Misses in the shootout from Jadon Sancho and Jonny Evans (right) cost United at Wembley

Marcus Rashford, who struggled last season and finished with only eight goals having bagged 30 goals in Ten Hag’s first season at United, missed two golden opportunities in regular time, but his manager is not concerned about his confidence.

‘No. No. I think he was several times in very good positions,’ he added.

‘I’m very pleased he is getting in those positions, because I know with Rasmus [Hojlund], keep going, keep making those movements and the team will make those movements, he will score goals. 

‘Once he will score one, then the goals will come.’

For victorious manager Pep Guardiola, who took to the Wembley touchline in a very casual t-shirt and jeans combo, he is not as convinced as supporters that this win proves his side’s hunger to win a fifth Premier League title in a row.

‘I would like to answer yes but I don’t know,’ Guardiola said.

‘Not for the fact that we scored with a minute left at the end of the game. Arsenal did it last season and won on penalties, last season we lost. 

Pep Guardiola is not as convinced as supporters that this win proves his side’s hunger to win a fifth Premier League title in a row

Alejandro Garnacho gave Man United a 1-0 lead eight minutes from time at Wembley

Marcus Rashford missed two golden opportunities in regular time, but his manager is not concerned about his confidence

‘We could have lost today, we were close to losing with minutes left so we have to wait.

‘We are far from our best. It’s normal but it’s better starting with one trophy won. 

‘It’s nicer but the reality is nothing changed for the fact we won the title.’