Ten Hag: If we stick together, we'll be successful

The Reds had to claw our way back from conceding twice inside the opening four minutes but Christian Eriksen's effort gave everybody hope and Casemiro levelled seven minutes into the second half.

After Forest skipper Joe Worrall was sent off, Danilo fouled Marcus Rashford to present Bruno Fernandes with the opportunity to slam in the winner from the penalty spot.

This is what the boss had to say to the official broadcasters, including MUTV, after the game...

THE BAD START

"It was very interesting for me to see how he team responds to this. As a manager, you don't want this situation but it is very good to have this experience, to see how the team will respond to it. The good thing from such a horror start is that you have a long time to turn it around and so I think that was my feeling. We had some great leaders in the team, we showed that composure to stick to the plan and, from that plan, we played some very good football and we turned it around. So a big compliment to the team."

A MASSIVE THREE POINTS

"Absolutely, you see this team is strong. This team has good spirit, a good fight, there’s a lot of energy and that will definitely help us. This is a massive win and it will help us in our belief. You need leadership on the pitch and we stayed composed and stayed controlled. Christian Eriksen was one of them, it was a great finish."

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

"It's normal in the start of the season that there are a lot of areas where we have to progress but we have the character in this team. I'm very pleased with this performance but there is also room for improvement - in the first part of the game and also the last part of the game. You can't win with pressing when it's 11 v 10, you have to stay more calm and find the spare man to play more in their half. But we made mistakes and gave them opportunities to create chances."

BRILLIANT BRUNO

"You ask the question [about him] but he showed why we pick him as a leader and a captain. He is a brilliant captain, by example, an inspiration. He brings the quality, keeps going. I think he played a very impressive game."

TRAINING-GROUND ROUTINE

"Eric worked it out [the move for the equaliser from Casemiro]. Eric Ramsay. He's doing that brilliant job and it was well executed by the players. I think all the goals were brilliant and you can go to the game-plan and go to our way of playing, about principles and rules, for how we outplayed them." 

MESSAGE TO SUPPORTERS

"The fans are entitled to have their opinions. Also, you see a very strong bond between the fans and the team, also away from home. I'm very pleased with that. I want to thank them for that bond by giving them good performances. If we stick together, the fans and the team, we will be successful."

READY FOR THE EMIRATES

"Absolutely. First, we enjoy this because it’s important, such a win, but of course we have to go to the next game. We have one week, we will prepare well and we will put everything in to get the next win."