Erik ten Hag branded Manchester United’s crosses for Cristiano Ronaldo during the defeat to Aston Villa as “stupid”.

United were beaten 3-1 at Villa Park and while they were poor defensively against Unai Emery’s side, they also failed to create clear chances for the second successive game.

One first-half cross created a chance for Ronaldo, which the 37-year-old headed at Emiliano Martinez who saved with his legs. After that United continued to try and pepper the Villa box with crosses, to little effect.

Ten Hag was happy with Christian Eriksen’s cross to create the chance for Ronaldo, but said too much of United’s crossing came from positions that were too deep, with his team forcing it rather than being patient.

United started both halves dreadfully at Villa Park, falling 2-0 down inside 11 minutes and then conceding just four minutes after the break to go 3-1 behind.

That might have contributed to their approach with crosses, but it wasn’t a tactic Ten Hag was pleased with.

“No, I think it was stupid to do that. Because we delivered too quickly crosses in from too far and too much forcing and we don’t help him. We have to bring in the crosses in the right moment,” said Ten Hag.

“No, we didn’t in the second-half also, we bring the crosses in too quickly. The right moment was Christian Eriksen in the first-half in the pocket to deliver the ball to Cristiano at the far post, that was the right moment.”