Ten Hag: We found a way to win

Wednesday 01 March 2023 23:16

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was pleased with the character shown by his side to overcome West Ham United 3-1 in the Emirates FA Cup.

The boss appreciated the tie came on the back of a draining Wembley experience on Sunday, when we lifted the Carabao Cup after beating Newcastle United 2-0, so he was happy to rotate his line-up and yet still clinch a place in the quarter-finals.

An own goal by Nayef Aguerd equalised Said Benrahma's strike and Alejando Garnacho's cracker was followed by Fred providing the icing on the cake, with Wout Weghorst involved in the build-up to both efforts.

Here is what Erik had to say to the official broadcasters, including ITV and Talksport, after the game...

Ten Hag: This team hates losing Video

Ten Hag: This team hates losing

Erik ten Hag gives his verdict on another Old Trafford comeback, Garnacho's goal and more...

WHAT A WIN!

"It was not easy. It is certainly ever easy when you win a cup, celebrations and, of course, you have to get back to business as usual. And that was our task. We did it and, finally, we find a way to win as you say.  The first-half, I didn’t expect this and it is difficult to get into the rhythm of the game. And then we go down in the second half and you have to fight back and that is what they did. I am happy, I am proud of the team.”

WHAT PLEASED YOU MOST?

"The resilience from this team and the belief that they can win. It was magnificent. So, great character from the team. It was a good spirit. Not only on the pitch, but also on the bench. We see the players from the bench have an impact. They are pushing each other, supporting each other. You can see in the bench, the dressing room, they are pushing each other and when they come on, they have an impact. And that is very good, that acceptance and I really like it. I hope they can keep that going because we need that good spirit.”

I KEPT BELIEVING

“I had a strong feeling that we still could win that game. And you saw the belief, the composure. It was never a moment of panic and we had a little bit of bad luck with the first goal that was disallowed [by Casemiro] and the offside situation, but we then forced them, to score.”

CASEMIRO AND RASHFORD ON AS SUBS

“I planned to bring them on. Because I think it was good for the player. To stay in the rhythm, players love that. You get energy from it and they needed to bring the performance every time again. You can rest them for 45 minutes, but some minutes they needed for this Sunday [against Liverpool in the Premier League].”

NO EXTRA-TIME

“Yeah. I think we kept our team fit. But I am happy we don’t have to play it. And, of course, in four days, it is the next one. We go from game to game. The next game is always the most important game for us."

Watch Erik's press conference Video

Watch Erik's press conference

Ten Hag spoke about Garnacho, Weghorst and the impact of Old Trafford, when he appeared before reporters...

OLD TRAFFORD'S IMPACT

"The togetherness, I think we build it together with the fans.  But it start, and I think I said it before, it starts with us, it starts with the team to show energy, to dominate the opponents. But then, yeah, this stadium, this fans, the ambience they bring, yeah, that goes back to the players, they are already energised then they get more energised to run faster, to go quicker, to keep going, to do the recovery runs to make the movement without ball in possession. So that absolutely has an impact."

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