Ten Hag: We can improve

Friday 16 August 2024 23:58

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag spoke to the media following our 1-0 victory over Fulham on the opening day of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The Reds got off to the perfect domestic start by collecting all three points in an electric night under the floodnights at Old Trafford.

Adding to the excitement was a trio of competitive debuts. Noussair Mazraoui was in from the start at full-back and his former Bayern Munich team-mate Matthijs de Ligt got a cameo towards the end of the game.

But it will, of course, be Joshua Zirkzee's first contribution in a Red shirt that will grab the headlines, netting the game's only goal in the final minutes to deliver the win in front of his new adoring fans.

Following the game, Ten Hag provided his thoughts to broadcasters including MUTV and Sky. Keep scrolling for a selection of what he said...

Ten Hag: We are pleased for Zirkzee Video

Ten Hag: We are pleased for Zirkzee

Erik speaks to MUTV with satisfaction, after his team kicked off the new top-flight season with three points...

OPENING DAY DELIGHT
"It's just [the] first game. But it's good to strengthen the belief, confidence in the team. But it's not only the win but also the performance that's okay. And, I have seen many spaces where we can, and where we have to, improve. But that's normal, first game of the season."

ZIRKZEE'S ATTRIBUTES
"Yes [he gets involved in build-up] but scoring, for a striker, is important. He should be there, where he was, to finish, to kill. But yeah, he has more qualities, so he has to get the right balance. We have to work with him, I think that's one of the things I spoke with him about, that he has to be arriving in the box to get his finishes, but, of course, we want him to link up. Therefore, also, for that attribute, we bought him. And he has great qualities to make that link-up play and we have some great midfielders around him who can make combinations so we can take hold of the game."

MAZRAOUI'S DEBUT
"He's a great defender, but, as I said before the game, also very composed on the ball; attacking. He's not in full condition in this moment. When he gets 100 per cent fitness he can do much more, but I'm very pleased with his performance. He kept for 70-75 minutes, and now he has to build his fitness."

COOL CASEMIRO
"He was absolutely, in that midfield department, unit, he was very important. In possession, out of possession, organising, interceptions, duels. On the ball; smart solutions, as we know him. So yeah, this is the Casemiro we all enjoy."

MAGUIRE PRECAUTIONS
"Not injured, but I had to bring him off because he had a problem. Before he gets injured, so [a] precaution. The win is very important, of course, but I'm so happy no injuries today."

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Five of Erik ten Hag's players received more than 10 per cent of the fan vote after United beat Fulham.

PRESSURE PAYS
"Fulham is always a difficult game, they are very good on the ball, but I think we defended. Especially, we pressed very well. After, I think, 10-12 minutes we found our spell in the game and we kept them under pressure and they had a lot of trouble. They didn't come out of the pressure, which was good, and we created a lot of chances, I think. And we should have scored earlier, that's the only criticism I have on the team. Kill. Kill in the box."

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