Despite Manchester United’s resounding 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday, manager Erik Ten Hag was not impressed with the performance of his players at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag outlined how he wants his troops to play, stating that Man United must keep the ball and recognise when to speed it up.
The Bournemouth win in the Premier League was Man United’s fourth in a row. Red Devils are just one point behind second placed Manchester City.
The Dutchman joined Man United in June and has been working to revitalise the team. So far, it seems as though he is making solid progress.
He is the fifth manager to try to awaken the sleeping giant since 2013. And Ten Hag has started by implementing his own playing style, which he says it is a process.
MAN UNITED COACH NOT IMPRESSED
Although Man United won the game, there were times Bournemouth got behind the defence to have shot on goal.
Ten Hag said his players have to be clever and compact, let opposition run and the spaces will open up as they take risks.
“We ended up with two departments, one attacking and one defending with a big gap in between,” he said.
“It cost a lot of energy and you get a tennis match. We don’t want to play tennis; we want to play football. Keep the ball and recognise when to speed it all up.
“That is the next step we have to make. We are still in the process and we controlled the game in the first half but we didn’t play brilliant.
“Not entertaining, but we made a good goal from a set-play and then, straight after half-time, a really good counter,” he continued.
Man United will be back in action this Saturday when they host rivals City in a Manchester Derby. A game that could have a serious impact on Man City in their title defence if they drop points.
A victory for Man United, however, would increase their prospects of making the top four and qualifying for the Champions League the following year.
Article compiled by Tlalane Phahla
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