Ten Hag: We needed that

Skip to Main NavigationSkip to content

Erik ten Hag praised his side’s second-half performance – and that stupendous first-half goal by Alejandro Garnacho – as he savoured Manchester United’s biggest winning margin of the season so far.

The United boss was suspended from the technical area at Everton’s Goodison Park, after being booked in the latter stages of our previous outing, the home win against Luton Town a fortnight ago.

Taking a seat alongside technical director Darren Fletcher, Ten Hag watched our 3-0 victory from the stands and for the most part, he was very pleased by what he could see from his unfamiliar vantage point.

Below, you can watch his post-match conversation with MUTV and read the main points from his interview for Sky Sports…

Ten Hag: We outplayed them Video

Ten Hag: We outplayed them

Spectacular goals aside, Erik believes United were simply the better team against Everton…

GARNACHO’S GOAL

“The season is still long but it is probably the Goal of the Season. It was not only that finish, but also the build up was very good with the switch [of play]. We talked about being brave, being dynamic, being proactive. But the finish is fantastic.”

SILENCING THE HOME SUPPORT

“I said to you before how we want to play, and in Copenhagen we had the example. There was another example of how this team can play, how you can quieten the crowd but also make an impact on an opponent. So be brave, be proactive, be dynamic. And that is what we showed in the first couple of minutes in the game.”

FIRST-HALF COMPLACENCY

“After that start of the game, we were too easy going, too comfortable and I criticised the team at half-time because they were thinking we are already there. You can’t do it. The game is 95 minutes, longer even. I think there were two times of six minutes injury. So you have to bring it in 100 minutes on the pitch, show initiative in and out of possession, everyone. And in the second half, they did very well and then we had the highest score this season.”

FORWARDS FOUND THE NET

“Our three offensive players scored and that is very good. That is what we need, that they go and score because that will help us as a team. And I said we need that to get into the season, to be successful, absolutely. That will give them confidence and we have to take this into our next game.”

SELFLESS FERNANDES

“You saw how great a captain Bruno is. He could see, feel, assess that his team-mate needed that goal. Also he had the confidence in Rashy to take the penalty because he knows he is a very good penalty taker. ‘Take that ball and take your confidence.’ As a team, you need that. You need such leadership and you back each other, you cover each other and you give each other the confidence because you know you need it to get a successful season.”