Erik ten Hag hailed the performance of his Manchester United players after his team defeated Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford to earn their fourth straight victory.
In the first two games of the 2022–23 season, the Red Devils lost to Brentford and Brighton.
Then, it appeared as though Man Utd may endure another disappointing campaign. However, they have already won three straight games, there is growing hope within the team.
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Arsenal sought to maintain their unblemished start to the new season, and United played much of the game on the back foot.
With Antony completing a brilliant move to score on his debut, the hosts did take the lead against the odds.
Bukayo Saka’s goal for his team after an hour was the result of pressure from Arsenal.
Marcus Rashford’s 2-1 goal six minutes later ensured that they would not stay level for long.
United caught the Gunners on the counterattack as they were trying to win the match, and Rashford finished the move by scoring his second and his team’s third goal.
Man United finished the game to earn a crucial three points. Now only three points separate them from league leaders Arsenal.
After the game, Ten Hag claimed that his squad still has “a lot of potential for improvement”.
“I thought the first 10 minutes was the best we have played so far this season. But after the cancelled goal it wasn’t as good,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports after the game.
“But we had a good team today, good team spirit, they fought, they recovered, Arsenal created chances but we scored great goals, we were great on the break.”
Speaking on Arsenal’s threat going forward:
“I know our defence can deal with that but they have a lot of creativity. We could’ve done things better but we are not as long together as Arsenal.”
“When we get that in we will have better control of the game, that’s hard work, there’s a lot of room for improvement.”
“We had a good plan, we didn’t get it all on the pitch, we couldn’t control it when we should have.” “We got a set back and we fight back, that’s good to see. I like this mentality.”
“Arsenal played well but we defended well – I never had the feeling that they’d break us. They had a lot of movement and creativity but we defended as a team with all 11.”
“We can have better pressing and organisation, we can control the game more, we can be better in possession with better composure n the ball then we will dictate the game even more.”
“We haven’t been together long so we’ll work on it.”
Ten Hag was then ask about Antony to be a threat in the Premier League:
“We can make speed and creativity together, he will be a threat in the Premier League” He said.
“We were missing a player on the right wing, [Jadon] Sancho and [Marcus] Rashford can play there but they prefer the left so now we have the missing link who can play well on the right” He added.
“He did well but I think he can do better, he had a great goal but all the goals were team goals.”
“It’s a process – you have to lift the standards every day.”
“That is my demand and the players in our team have that demand, we have many players in the team who have won trophies and they have to bring that standard. Get the best out of them every day.”
“We have to think about Europa League – today we will have a short celebration and tomorrow focus will be on the next game.”
