Following Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, Erik ten Hag spoke to Sky Sports about the difference between last night’s performance and the previous two against Brighton and Brentford.
While he tinkered with the starting XI and the tactics, he hailed the attitude amongst the squad as being the cause for the victory.
We can talk about tactics but it’s all about attitude. There was communication, fight spiriting and then you can see what they can achieve. I wanted a different approach and a different attitude and that is what they brought on the pitch. It is only a start. We can play with much more composure and much more danger. Be a team, and have a good spirit and that is what we saw today.
He expanded on this point when talking to MUTV.
We saw a team. We saw a spirit and also a real connection between the players and then you make it really difficult for a good team, even you can beat them and that is what we did. That is what we did. It gives a good feeling, also when we have spirit out of good organisation, but I still think there is a lot of room for improvements.
It’s not always about what we’ve said [during the week]. I said to them we have to act. Not to talk a lot, just to act and make sure you are a team and battle and also be brave. Give each other options when we have the ball. So it’s not only about spirit. When we are out of possession, yes we want to press and sometimes you think strikers that they cannot do it because they have to save the energy for the offensive actions. I know this football is both and it is a demand. You have to bring it on the pitch out of possession and then you can be a threat in possession and that is what we show. It makes me happy that Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho make the goals.
