Boss Kieran McKenna admitted the Blues had missed a big opportunity to record a rare win at Old Trafford and also to gain ground in the relegation battle following their 3-2 defeat to 10-man Manchester United.

The Blues had the game where they wanted it at half-time having pulled back to 2-2 and with the Red Devils reduced in number following Patrick Dorgu’s dismissal for a high challenge on Omari Hutchinson.

But Town conceded a third set piece of the match two minutes after the restart, Harry Maguire heading home and from there struggled to make any impact.

“No doubt about it,” McKenna admitted when asked whether it was an opportunity missed. “Certainly a very frustrating outcome to the game and we’re really annoyed with the goals that we conceded.

“In the first half with the two set plays. I think the first one is a really good ball, we’re not sure it’s a free-kick, but it’s a good ball. The second one, there’s a block at the back post but we need to defend it better.

“We went from a really good start and a good position in the game to a difficult position. Of course, we go in at half-time in a good position with the red card and the goal just before half-time.

“But we’ve managed and played the second half really poorly. A big priority in the dressing room at half-time was not to concede. We were in the situation [the same as United] two weeks ago against Aston Villa, so we know what the mindset of the opponent is, you know that they’re waiting for an opportunity and they’ll feel like there’s a goal in it for them.

“And tonight the goal was always going to come from a set play. We weren’t able to deal with United’s physicality and strength in the penalty box.

“So not giving away the set play and then defending it with everything we had was going to be key in the second half when it came, and we didn’t do that within a minute of the restart.

“And that gives the stadium all the energy it needs, gives the opposition all the energy they need and I think in the second half they showed their experience, showed their quality.

“They were stronger than us at both ends of the pitch. They still had three big, high quality centre-halves to defend their goal. Their two centre-forwards were stronger than us on long balls and we weren’t able to get any foothold in the game.

“We didn’t manage the situation well in the second half. We did everything that we didn’t want to do and you don’t want to do in that situation. We gave away free-kicks, we gave the crowd energy by getting involved in silly things. We lost our shape and we didn’t defend the moments that they had anywhere near well enough. It’s a really poor second half from us and a frustrating night.”

Asked what he’d said to the players in the dressing room, McKenna responded: “Everything I’ve just said to you!”

Having said at the weekend that the Blues have rarely had the rub of the green this season, they were gifted Jaden Philogene’s early goal through a defensive mix-up and then played a United side with 10 men for the whole of the second half and the last couple of of minutes of the first.

“I think that’s fair,” McKenna reflected. “We’ve lost out on margins on so many occasions this season, games where we’ve done lots of good things.

“Tonight was similar to that in that there were some good passages in the first half, some good things about our play, some promise.

“Situations have very often gone against us. Tonight, in some aspects they went for us and we weren’t good enough to capitalise on them. One, in terms of the physicality to defend our box on set plays, they had too much strength for us in those areas.

“And then the maturity to be able to handle the situation of being in the second half with the expectation to go and win the game.

“We gave away a really poor goal and we didn’t chase the game well at all. I think there are plenty of nights and plenty of days this season where we can bemoan that things haven’t gone our way, but I don’t think tonight was one of them.

“I think we need to take ownership of it tonight. Although it’s not easy, even 10 men here you’re still playing against high, high quality opposition, but we need to own the bits we can do better and there were certainly a couple of those tonight.”

He added: “The feeling in our position, the reality in our position is that we need to do so many things well to win a game. Maybe 10 things and you need to do them all well.

“Very often this season we’ve done seven or eight of them or nine of them, but if one area of your game is off, then you’ll get punished.

“Defensive set plays have been a strong point for us, we’ve been one of the best teams in the league from a defensive set piece point of view, but really tonight we weren’t at the level, the opponent was too strong for us and we got punished on that area.

“We know the jump that we’ve had, we know we’re coming here with lots of young players, very few have played in the league before, very few have played at Old Trafford before, but we also know that we need to get so many areas right to get a win and very often we’ve got different areas right, but not all of them.

“And tonight’s one of those nights. We did some things well in the first half, we gave away very, very few chances in open play but the defending of set plays was not good enough and has cost us the game.”

Before tonight, Town had conceded only three goals from set pieces with Brentford the only side to have shipped fewer, two, in the Premier League this season.

“That’s why tonight’s really, really frustrating,” the former United U18s and first-team coach continued.

“There’s also the level of the opponent and maybe that’s one of the points with the level of the Premier League.

“Bruno Fernandes delivering for Harry Maguire and [Matthijs] de Ligt and [Leny] Yoro, [Joshua] Zirkzee and [Rasmus] Hojlund. That’s a lot of physicality in your penalty box and from a stature point of view we were outmatched tonight, so our details need to be absolutely perfect and that wasn’t the case tonight.

“I think it’s an area that has certainly cost us tonight, it hasn’t cost us all season, but, as I’ve said, to win games in this league, we have to be bang on in pretty much every area and we haven’t managed to be as often as we would have liked to be and tonight it was certainly defending set plays that was a big problem for us.”

Regarding the challenge which led to Dorgu’s sending off, McKenna added: “I think it was a red card. I was right in front of it. He’s gone over the ball.

“I think you always assume the best in people and I assume he’s not meant it, but he’s gone over the ball and it’s also resulted in Omari having to go off in the second half and he’s a big, big player for us against a lower block.

“That was a blow for us, but VAR dealt with it and gave the red card, so we can’t have too many complaints and hopefully Omari will be OK.”

The Blues boss was asked how he’ll lift the team ahead of Monday’s FA Cup fifth round tie at Nottingham Forest given he seemed flat at his post-match press conference.

“We are tonight and I think we have to be,” he said. “We’re a really positive group, we find the positives and the learnings from both situations but also we’ve missed a big opportunity tonight, so there’s no point trying to dress that up any other way than what it is.

“We’re really frustrated tonight and I don’t think there’s anything that any of us say that’s going to change that, but I also know that when we go back into training everyone’s mood, everyone’s mindset will be to deal with that frustration in the right way.

“Take the lessons from tonight, there’s a lot that we can take, there were so many different things in the game, the ebbs and flows, the big incidents that were in the game. There’s so much that a young group in terms of experience and age can learn from that.

“And we have to use it to make us stronger and we have to use the lessons in the game coming up.

“We’re frustrated tonight, there’s no point hiding any of that, but I know when we get back to the training ground, we’ll all turn our focus to Nottingham Forest in the cup and then really importantly take the lessons from tonight ready for Selhurst Park in 10 days’ time.”

TWTD

Portman51 added 23:19 - Feb 26 That's a very long-winded way of saying we're simply not Prem level.... yet.
0

cressi added 23:22 - Feb 26 So the threat is dead balls And Burgess is sitting at home. Ridiculous McKenna.
7

Stato added 23:24 - Feb 26 The fawning over McKenna on here has been embarrassing since day 1. That said I'm delighted to hear him finally speak honestly and admit the 2nd half was dire. Hopefully at least some of the McKenna fan club will also be honest enough to admit this season has been full of mistakes and under performance. Morsy and Hutchinson have been way off and McKenna himself has not been brave enough to drop them. Relegation beckons and McKenna is to blame. He needs to learn if we are to return stronger and better than the current version. Future recruitment needs massive improvement and under performing players like Hutchinson and Morsy must be given less pitch time if results are to improve

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del45 added 23:27 - Feb 26 Put the subs on sooner when losing if players out there are not doing the job not leaving it to the last minute again.
10

IP9 added 23:36 - Feb 26 When are we going to take any of these “positives” and “learnings” into the next game? We’ve actually got worse as the season has progressed. The second half tonight was echoes of Paul Lambert era football and it was beyond painful to watch.
24

EricGatesShinpad added 23:47 - Feb 26 I am not a happy clapper so I am very frustrated by tonight's game but I think we are still in the mix despite everything. I am annoyed as we have been so very close but fallen short too many times.....BUT and it is a big BUT.... Two years ago we were having to put up with the Fleetwood goal celebration music !!! We have come so far....keep the faith....
8

DifferentGravy added 23:52 - Feb 26 Theres a lot of 'we' there. But tactics were poor. wide men marking centre back at set pieces. Only one man up front....against 10 men.....for most of the second half. Passing the ball around the edge of the box with very few players actually getting into the penalty area. No delivery into the box. Only 3 shots on target. Jaden was very fortunate with two goals but I still dont see what he does for the team. Hutchinson very good in the last third on the counter but we are rarely in that position and he is too lightweight defensively. Please stop playing Johnson, he simply isnt goo enough....and why bring him on when we desperately need to get a goal!

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blues1 added 00:07 - Feb 27 Cressi. I assume ur psychic then are you? Or you think Mckenna is? It turned out set pieces were the issue. Was no reason to presume before the game they would be. Particularly as we'd only conceded 3 goals from set pieces before tonight.
2

NorthLondonBlue2 added 00:09 - Feb 27 Such a frustrating result - it’s getting hard to see where the points will come from now. And is it just me or did we look complete shattered in the second half, as though we had zero energy to take the ball forward? I don’t think it’s rocket science and I do trust McKenna all the way. But we so badly need to start winning some games now.
4

cpaz97 added 01:23 - Feb 27 I have no idea what Cameron Burgess is supposed to have done wrong. But him in the team tonight and we don't concede 3.
15

hyperbrit added 02:07 - Feb 27 McK is slooow to admit his mistakes but in this league they jump on them with both feet. GameChanger is no doubt wondering if they should keep him.One of the pundits said Town is clearly a Championship team but may be an insult even to the Championship at this point OUCH!!
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Karlosfandangal added 07:51 - Feb 27 I have to say I gave up on the season about 5 games ago. Please stop pushing balls wide just so you can give it back to the midfield so they can push it wide to the other side…………..put some balls in the box
5

bobble added 07:51 - Feb 27 Cam burgess ..did we sell him after his early season great performances ?
1

SpiritOfJohn added 07:53 - Feb 27 This season we have struggled against a low block, probably because we have only had two Premier League games where it has been employed against us - last night in the second half and Southampton at home. We are very unlikely to face it again this season, as all other teams will fancy their chances of improving their goal difference when they play us. Regarding the set piece goals, Fernandes and Maguire were dangerous every time, so the message at half-time should have been stop conceding soft corners...

6

poet added 08:14 - Feb 27 It has to be said, we need to learn how to deal with set pieces. That was the difference between the two sides last night. Morsey’s own goal from a set piece, and 2 further goals from set pieces. Manchester Utd, hardly created any chances from open play. Early on, McGuire was left free to head a goal bound header, which Palmer saved well. That was from a corner, that should have been a warning shot across our bows, but we payed no heed to that at all. Towards the end of the game, we pressured them, but kept going out wide right or left. They were sitting ducks for a direct central attack with one-twos on the edge of their area. It wasn’t until Hirst came on, that a run penetrating their box proved a real threat. They were there for the taking, but we played into their hands by going wide with every attack. This was 3 points dropped.

5

itfc2024 added 08:25 - Feb 27 we simply ain't good enough spending 130 million has ripped the spirit out the team players from last season would have fight this team has nothing whoever out set piece coach is needs sacking cos he's clueless when we are defending a corner why is philogene marking maguire we know philoogen is useless with his head but put him on their best header of the ball I was their last night and we were clueless we done nothing philogene is shocking 2 lucky goals but done nothing else he don't look bothered delap is overrated he's so easy to play against last night he picks the ball up and runs at the defence but always lose the ball and he don't look up and use his team mates sorry delap theirs no I in team

4

oldtimer3 added 08:28 - Feb 27 Why not play 2 strikers when playing against 10 men? At half time get Hirst on we have two wingers so get the crosses into them it's not rocket science??
12

oldtimer3 added 08:28 - Feb 27 Why not play 2 strikers when playing against 10 men? At half time get Hirst on we have two wingers so get the crosses into them it's not rocket science??
2

oldtimer3 added 08:28 - Feb 27 Why not play 2 strikers when playing against 10 men? At half time get Hirst on we have two wingers so get the crosses into them it's not rocket science??
0

itfc2024 added 08:39 - Feb 27 if mckenna thing these players will keep us in the league then he's clueless like his tactics half time we are 2-2 and their down to 10 men but they was we played 2nd half was awful sideway backwards passes all the time we get in good crossing areas but we don't cross we go all the way back to the halfway line that boring negative football mckenna and can someone please tell me why all our attacks have to go though morsy cos when he gets the ball everything slows down to walking pace this was probably our best chance to beat a very poor manchester united team but we blew it and blew any chance of staying in this league next season I'd sell delap Hutchinson and philogene and but a striker like hirst who's a team player and 2 wingers that run and take on players people moan about Jack Clarke least he tries to beat players yes he may lose the ball but I don't mind that when he's trying to take on his man

0

Leejames99 added 08:44 - Feb 27 Pathetic responses again, Hirst, Burgess, Morsy are league one players not Premiership and now Muric not playing you have targeted Phillogene who was brilliant last night the lad was everywhere, why do so many fans blame anyone but DaDads Army, you will be thankful we have Phillogene, aj Clarke, Szmodicks. The only thing l would say is we shouod of bought in Szmodicks not a league 1 striker and broadhead

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dirtydingusmagee added 08:46 - Feb 27 Im glad ''managed'' was mentioned because lets be honest it was as much with management as players inability that the 2nd half was really poor.
1

mathiemagic added 09:05 - Feb 27 The only really shocking thing about last night was how long it took to send the bloke off. One of the most blatant red cards you will ever see. What on earth were they looking for to say it wasnt a red.....Baffling?
5

Alphawhiskey added 09:14 - Feb 27 Very poor management. Should have taken Jaden off at half time, replaced him with Hirst, put Hutch on the right and peppered their box with low and high crosses. something would have paid off. We may as well have lost 4 or 5-2, but at least fight for the win. Terrible management, completely wrong. That's down to you KMC in afraid......
3

bignics added 09:40 - Feb 27 “We know the jump that we’ve had, we know we’re coming here with lots of young players, very few have played in the league before“…….. Very few have played in the league before….. er hello we are 27 games in and we have played everyone once this is not week/game 3! 27 games and honestly what have we learnt so far and where are the changes in style/management/tactics to show we have learnt anything? Utd knew exactly how we would play all 2nd half because we never change anything we are so predictable it is painful to watch now.

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