Erik ten Hag believes lunchtime kick-offs are a ‘big disadvantage’ for players

Erik ten Hag has hit out at the Premier League, branding Manchester United’s fixture list “unfair” to fans and a “big disadvantage” to players after another trip to the south coast on Saturday lunchtime.

The Red Devils and their under-fire manager travelled to Southampton under the microscope after an error-ridden home defeat to rivals Liverpool before the international break.

Ten Hag’s men started slowly but got back on top after Andre Onana saved Cameron Archer’s penalty, with Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford scoring before Alejandro Garnacho completed a 3-0 win.

“I think that was the turning point of the game,” the United boss said of Onana’s penalty save.

“We’ve got into the rhythm and we see how thin the margins are. Against Brighton, we score a goal and it’s crazy, it’s disallowed.

“Today you concede a penalty and a few minutes later we score a goal and from that moment on it was our game.”

It was a much-needed victory given Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat had compounded a late 2-1 loss at Brighton, which was scheduled for 12.30pm on Saturday, as was United’s return to action at St Mary’s.

The visitors’ stadium was packed as always but Ten Hag wants the Premier League to rethink its schedule because of the impact on fans and players.

“First of all, for the fans it’s very unfair to have to deal with this,” he said. “With away games at 8pm for them on a Saturday night, the game at 12.30pm, it’s not fair.

“But they are still there, so I am very proud of our fans, they are still there and, whatever happens on the pitch, they always support the team and there is a very good connection.

“But I think the Premier League should also pay attention to that, to the match schedule.

“It’s a big disadvantage (for the team), but we have to deal with it like they did today.

“You can see that the team is mature, the players are mature. It doesn’t matter. We always have to win, we can’t find excuses for not winning a game.”

United look ahead to hosting Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, before heading south to face Crystal Palace in a 5.30pm kick-off at Selhurst Park next Saturday.

The Saints are in cup action in midweek as they travel to fellow promoted side Everton before hosting fellow promoted side Ipswich next weekend as they seek their first points of the season.

Captain Jack Stephens will miss out after his late sending off for a poor late tackle on Alejandro Garnacho, but manager Russell Martin remained upbeat after a fourth league defeat in four games.

“I don’t think we just started well, I thought we played really well for about 30 minutes,” he said. “I think we were the team that looked more likely to score.

“I loved the performance, the aggression, the intensity. We played great football.

“We didn’t know how to take advantage of it and then we missed a penalty and that completely changed the energy of the game, of the whole stadium, which is understandable.

“We didn’t react well enough to that and at that point United took control and took advantage.

“We conceded two terrible goals from set pieces. That’s the only thing that really makes me angry today.

“The guys are doing their best. They’re giving it their all. There are some brilliant moments that deserve to be repeated, that’s for sure.

“I think if we have moments in their box in the first half, if we have their players, I’m sure it will be a goal.”