Ten Hag: We found a way to win

Monday 14 August 2023 22:51

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has given his verdict on the Reds' 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The hosts were not at our best but got off to a winning start, thanks to Raphael Varane's second goal for the club, as his header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka's cross earned the three points.

There was late, late drama when VAR checked a challenge by Andre Onana on Sasa Kalajdzic but no penalty was awarded. Ultimately, in the 10th minute of stoppage time, the final whistle from referee Simon Hooper was greeted with a huge roar of relief from the Reds' faithful.

Watch Ten Hag's post-match press conference Video

Watch Ten Hag's post-match press conference

The boss fields questions from reporters on transitions, goalscoring, penalties and more at Old Trafford...

Here is what the boss had to say afterwards to MUTV and Sky Sports...

WE FOUND A WAY TO WIN

"They were more aggressive [than] we were, but then still, we have to find a way to win the game. That is what we did and then you see the spirit of the team and the willingness to win. And we're happy. I was really pleased with the win, of course, and it was a fight. It's all about [getting] back into the season. We know we have to fight for our points and on the ball. It wasn't a great game outside but we had to fight. We have to find a way to win and that's what we did." 

THE FIRE IS BACK

"We are back at Old Trafford. The fire is back! The connection between the fans and the team is there and we know every game is tough. You don't get your points for nothing. But we fought for it. People already have seen last season and also with pre-season but you see pre-season is different and, frankly, the league is different."

WOLVES PLAYED WELL

"They were very relaxed today on the ball. I think Wolves played very well. You know, when you see their performance in the spring and when you see the performance during the pre-season, when you follow that, it's a good team. Ultimately, [it was] the way we battled and continued to battle, especially late on in the game. I think there was definite energy with the subs, which was good. I saw data from last season and we were the team with the most subs scoring goals, which is very good. You need that spirit because it's not about 11 players. It's about a squad."

THINGS TO WORK ON

"We gave away too many easy giveaways. That was not good. But you have to get into the season and we will improve on that fact. When you see giveaways, then you give them the opportunity to counter and then you have to follow [them]. But I think we matched the runs and we dealt with it. The clean sheet, that tells [you] everything, and that we, again, have been here in Old Trafford and we have a clean sheet, which is good. Now we have to be better on the ball."

HALF-TIME MESSAGE TO PLAYERS

"Let's be more calm, more composed, more switches in between the lines. We had moments between the lines and, when we got that, we got into dangerous situations. But, when you have easy giveaways, you lose a little bit of control in the game.

VAR CHECK TOWARDS THE END

"It's difficult. I think he's really brave, has come out and the ball was touched before Andre dived in, so I don't think he had an influence on the touch from the opponent. So the VAR [looked] and it was on our side. So we are happy with the points."

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