Ten Hag laments his side’s ‘drop of focus’

New Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag demanded his team take heed of their "unacceptable" second half lapse after a 2-2 friendly draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.

United let slip a two-goal advantage to end Ten Hag's winning run in the final game of their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.

United, wearing their white away shirts, exhibited their newfound attacking flair in a dominant first half, but conceded a header to Villa's Calum Chambers in the dying seconds amid inclement conditions at Perth's Optus Stadium marked by a soggy pitch.

"The drop of focus is unacceptable. That cannot happen," Ten Hag told reporters.

"We have to learn from the second half that it is not possible just to be comfortable being two goals up."

United wrapped up their tour with England national player Jadon Sancho a standout to claim his third goal from four friendlies.

They had earlier notched convincing victories over Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace ahead of their English Premier League opener against Brighton on August 7.

Even though the second half collapse ended their tour on a sour note, Ten Hag was still buoyed by the signs of improvement from United -- who had finished a disappointing sixth in last season's Premier League.

"I have seen a lot of progress in the last two weeks," he said. "In the first half, I saw really good football. The guys might have been tired, but it is never an excuse."