"Very proud" - Erik ten Hag delivers verdict on draw with Liverpool

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag said that he is "very proud" of his side following Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League.

The 20-time English champions trailed 1-0 at the interval of the clash with Jurgen Klopp's side, as Luis Diaz struck in the 23rd minute of the contest in Manchester.

Man United managed to turn the game around to lead 2-1 in the 67th minute, with Kobbie Mainoo finding the back of the net with a curling effort after Bruno Fernandes's spectacular long-range strike had levelled the scores.

However, Mohamed Salah equalised from the penalty spot in the 84th minute, as Man United again failed to collect all three points from a winning position for the third time in their last three games.

The Red Devils have picked up just two points from their last three league games against Brentford, Chelsea and Liverpool, which have seriously harmed their chances of claiming a Champions League position in the Premier League table.

However, Ten Hag said that he is "very proud" of his side despite the "stupid mistakes" which have occurred in their last three matches.

"Very mixed emotions. On one side I am disappointed that we have dropped seven points in one week after being in winning positions, but we have to blame ourselves for making stupid mistakes," the Dutchman told BBC Sport.

"On the other side I am very proud. You see how we are improving and the potential of this squad is amazing - I am proud.

"In decisive areas we were losing battles especially with young players we were not confident to win them [duels]. We encouraged in the second half to do better and they stepped up."

Ten Hag hails Kambwala for display against Liverpool

Ten Hag also praised Willy Kambwala for his performance against Liverpool, with the 19-year-old brought in for just his second Premier League start of the campaign due to the team's centre-back absentees.

"He has been training a while with us and progressing well," the Dutchman added when questioned on the centre-back, who has now played eight times for the Red Devils this season.

"The next generation need to step in and he is doing brilliant. The challenge for him is doing it consistently.

"Great opportunity for him and we have other options like bringing Casemiro in at centre-half, but today he deserved it and he showed it on the pitch."

Man United currently have Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans on the sidelines, with Harry Maguire the club's only senior centre-back available for selection, and the England international came through the clash with Liverpool unscathed.