Erik ten Hag speaking in a post-match interview.
Manchester United sealed a 2-0 victory against Sheriff Tiranspol, courtesy to goals by Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo. Soon after final whistle, Erik ten Hag provided a post match analysis.
Speaking to MUTV, the Dutchman said:
Erik ten Hag touched on performance
”We got the job done, and we know it is always difficult to play here. We were really direct but I also feel like we controlled the game not from the first minute but after 10 minutes we found our foot in the game and managed to create some spaces. It was a great goal and I am really happy for Jadon [Sancho] and he finished off a really good goal, a team goal. But I also think it showed a really good team performance.”
Left-footed players
Erik ten Hag added: “I think Jadon has so much has potential, he had good pre-season. First he invested a lot and is on his way to getting really fit. It is a process, he scores goal and is in the moment in the season where he is more secure. We can play over that left side with Tyrell [Malacia] and [Christian] Eriksen in that triangle, [and] how they moved together, I think they really were a threat for the opponent.”
Ten Hag’s stance on Ronaldo
“We could expect this when you miss pre-season so he has to work really hard and invest to get the right fitness then he will score more goals. You can see he is really close when he gets fitter he will finish them. I think [he is] totally committed to this project and totally committed to this team, totally involved. You see also connections coming around him and he is constructing connections so I am happy with that.”
Game plan
“We had one good example in Southampton [of Sancho] preparing the goal for Bruno and he was also in the centre-forward position. We did some experiments on the night as we also brought Tyrell on the right and Luke [Shaw] on the left, and I think these were good moves and we are able to do this in the season.”
Possession based football
“I think for me the second half was better than the first half because we created chances a lot better. After the 15th minute, we dictated the game and created many chances. We can also be proud we kept a clean sheet which is also very good. We didn’t give them a chance and that was because in possession we did well to keep the ball.”
Premier League break
It’s very useful. We have many meetings, we have to improve the structures in and around the club. We will also look to the window in January or next summer already to improve our way of playing by making plans. Of course, [you get these] periods after a game, but we have to be ready for that and many players, let’s say 90%, are away. But the others, we will train properly and for the rest we have to prepare very well. I hope that everyone stays fit and return back healthy and then we have to get into attack”.
