Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag rejects crisis talk after victory against Chelsea
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has dismissed talks of a crisis at Old Trafford, asserting that his team is on the right path. The team secured a 2-1 victory against Chelsea, marking their first win this season against a team in the Premier League's current top 10. Despite facing speculation about unrest in the camp following a recent defeat at Newcastle, Ten Hag remains confident in his team's progress.
"Crisis? Not for us," he stated. "We keep calm. The team is in a good direction."
Assessment of the Victory
Ten Hag acknowledged that his team could have made the match against Chelsea easier by converting more of their chances. However, he expressed satisfaction with the overall performance, emphasizing the team's dynamism, proactivity, and bravery. The victory against Chelsea was United's sixth in eight league matches, demonstrating resilience after a challenging period.
"It is not a frustration, but we could have made our life easier [by scoring more]," Ten Hag commented. "We were very dynamic, proactive, and brave, and we are pleased with that."
Goal-scorer Scott McTominay and training strategies
Scott McTominay played a crucial role in the victory, scoring two goals against Chelsea. The midfielder highlighted that Manager Erik ten Hag had implemented lighter training sessions since the defeat at Newcastle. Contrary to speculations of players feeling overworked, Ten Hag defended the team's training regimen, emphasizing the necessity to keep players fresh in a condensed schedule.
"That is not new," the manager explained. "In such a condensed programme, we always train very light so the players are fresh. This team is capable of playing [in a] dynamic [way]. It is our job, me as a manager and my coaches, to get that right."
McTominay's brace against Chelsea showcased his goal-scoring ability, with Ten Hag praising the player's sense of timing. The manager emphasized the importance of organizing the team to capitalize on players' skills and attributes, highlighting McTominay's goal-scoring instincts.
"He has the smell for when to arrive," said Ten Hag. "It is a matter of organization. It is our job to make sure when he goes higher, other players play deeper. We have to make use of our players' skills and attributes."
Looking ahead and addressing omission of Marcus Rashford
Despite the positive result, challenges lie ahead for Manchester United. In-form Bournemouth is the next opponent at Old Trafford, followed by a crucial Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. Ten Hag's decision to omit Marcus Rashford from the starting lineup was attributed to "rotation." However, it marks the first time this season that Rashford has missed a starting place in the Premier League or Champions League for reasons other than illness or suspension.
"They needed a win after the disaster against Newcastle," noted former United defender Patrice Evra. "It will be tough for Marcus [Rashford] to come back into the team. I hope this team will stay; they will have to fight because the kids played very well today."