Manchester United impressively maintained their Premier League run with a midweek victory at home to Bournemouth, but the players knew manager Erik ten Hag was still a tad unhappy after the win.
Red Devils’ goalkeeper David de Gea has revealed manager Erik ten Hag was still a bit miffed with his team despite their winning run continuing against Bournemouth.
United’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth ensured the Red Devils will end the gameweek in the Premier League’s top four when former Real Madrid’s Casemiro broke the deadlock at Old Trafford, with second-half goals from Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford securing the points to seal the game.
United are currently in splendid form winning all their recent four games in league and cup while keeping a clean sheet. Yet, according to De Gea, their manager still believes there is room for improvement.
“He was happy with the clean sheet but at the same time he was a bit angry,” De Gea told the Manchester Evening News after the victory .
“Because we conceded too many chances and we were too open at the end of the game, so he was a bit angry.
“He’s doing well. I say before, he puts every player in the same direction and we feel like a proper team. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to play for this club and that’s massive.
“He brought a great spirit to the team, we are playing really well and this is the way we have to show and keep the momentum as well.”
The victory over Bournemouth leveled United on points with third-placed Newcastle United, who held league leaders Arsenal to a goalless draw. Ten Hag’s side also sit just one point adrift of Manchester City ahead of the reigning champions’ game in hand against Chelsea.
United’s next two games come in cup competitions, against Everton in the FA Cup third round and Charlton in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. After that, though, there are tough Premier League tests against Man City and Arsenal.
“We are still in the process and we controlled the game in the first half but we didn’t play brilliant,” Ten Hag told club media after the Bournemouth game.
“Not entertaining, but we made a good goal from a set-play and then, straight after half-time, a really good counter, it was a good goal.
“We have to play clever and keep compact, let them run and the spaces will come because, as they take risks, you will have counter chances.
“We ended up with two departments, one attacking and one defending, with a big gap in-between,” he explained in a post-match press conference. “It cost a lot of energy and you get a tennis match. We don’t want to play tennis; we want to play football. [Let’s] Keep the ball and recognise when to speed up.”