Manager Erik ten Hag was happy with some aspects of the game, however, there were things which he wanted to improve.
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Manchester United got their season up and running but it was in no means an easy win. The Red Devils had to work extremely hard to grind out three points at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Monday night. A lot of credit must be given to the visitors for matching the home side toe-to-toe. In the end though, United were able to take their chance while Wolves were unable to do so. Raphael Varane’s header in the second half from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross proved to be the difference at final whistle.
Manager Erik ten Hag was happy with some aspects of the game, however, there were things which he wanted to improve. Speaking to MUTV and Sky Sports, the Manchester United manager said after the match, “They were more aggressive [than] we were, but then still, we have to find a way to win the game. That is what we did and then you see the spirit of the team and the willingness to win. And we’re happy. I was really pleased with the win, of course, and it was a fight. It’s all about [getting] back into the season. We know we have to fight for our points and on the ball. It wasn’t a great game outside but we had to fight. We have to find a way to win and that’s what we did.”
However, ten Hag was not happy with how easily United conceded possession to Wolves in their Premier League opener. “We gave away too many easy giveaways. That was not good. But you have to get into the season and we will improve on that fact. When you see giveaways, then you give them the opportunity to counter and then you have to follow [them]. But I think we matched the runs and we dealt with it,” he elaborated.
“The clean sheet, that tells [you] everything, and that we, again, have been here in Old Trafford and we have a clean sheet, which is good. Now we have to be better on the ball,” he added before talking about his half-time message to players, “Let’s be more calm, more composed, more switches in between the lines. We had moments between the lines and, when we got that, we got into dangerous situations. But, when you have easy giveaways, you lose a little bit of control in the game.”
Erik ten Hag was all praise for Wolves for the way they played at Old Trafford, as he only had good words to describe their performance. “They were very relaxed today on the ball. I think Wolves played very well. You know, when you see their performance in the spring and when you see the performance during the pre-season, when you follow that, it’s a good team. Ultimately, [it was] the way we battled and continued to battle, especially late on in the game. I think there was definite energy with the subs, which was good. I saw data from last season and we were the team with the most subs scoring goals, which is very good. You need that spirit because it’s not about 11 players. It’s about a squad,” he stated.
The match had everything from goals to missed chances and a late VAR drama. A challenge by United goalkeeper Andre Onana on Sasa Kalajdzic was looked at but the penalty was not awarded, which has been received by pundits and supporters in a mixed fashion. “It’s difficult. I think he’s really brave, has come out and the ball was touched before Andre dived in, so I don’t think he had an influence on the touch from the opponent. So the VAR [looked] and it was on our side. So we are happy with the points,” he added.
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