Erik ten Hag expressed his delight at the performance and result of his side, following a 1-0 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, capping it as a brilliant week for his team.
Bruno Fernandes’s first-half strike proved to be the difference on Sunday as United overcame an Aston Villa side equally pushing for a top-four finish.
It came three days after the draw that kept Tottenham Hotspur at arm’s length in the table and a week after the stirring Emirates FA Cup semi-final shootout win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley.
Ten Hag pleased with overall performance
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag praised his team for their efforts, as well as his side’s resilience for grinding out the much-needed win at the end of the day.
“I’m really happy with the points but also with the performance,” he said.
“It was impressive against a Villa side who hadn’t lost in 10 games and scored in every game. We were really good on the ball in the first half – magnificent. We created some really good chances through Casemiro, {statorium_player pid=186 sid=165 text=”[Marcus] Rashford”}, Fernandes and {statorium_player pid=1341 sid=165 text=”[Marcel] Sabitzer”}, and scored. And then, in the second half, you have to make it 2-0 and you don’t make it. And in the end it’s going to be tough but we saw again the determination of this team.
“We have to keep going from game to game but I think this is a brilliant week for us. Before this week, I would have been happy with a point at Spurs. Of course, when you see the game and you are 2-0 up, you are a bit disappointed. But with this win, it’s a perfect week. So big credit to the team.”
Ten Hag specifically heaped praise on Bruno Fernandes, who once again showed why he is so important to the team.
“It was another great game from Bruno. The plan from a tactical perspective was to play him from the right to get runs behind and to pass behind. And he did that very well with Rashy and Sabitzer. And so I think our plan worked very well.
“He’s a very good presser, he understands the moment when to close down, when to bring the opponent in trouble. He knows also when to run back, to track back, and to close passing lines to our opponents. So even if our press gets beat, he knows when to get back and then, of course, he can play in between the lines and give the pass or get behind the lines himself. So he has so many skills and it’s a pleasure to work with players like him.”
