Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that his team must improve defensively after conceding too many chances in the 3-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth last night.
The Red Devils registered a sixth-straight win in all competitions yesterday after goals from Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford. They are now nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
Speaking after the game, Ten Hag was pleased with the 3-0 scoreline but admitted that it was not United’s best performance and were sometimes lucky in the defensive department.
While the margin of victory could have been bigger, the Dutch tactician acknowledged that goals could have been conceded too if not for the ‘great saves’ from an in-form David de Gea.
He told BBC Sport’s Shamoon Hafez: “I am happy with 3-0, that is obvious and quite clear but today was not our best game. We didn’t play smart as a team and sometimes we were lucky.”
“We scored great goals and should have scored more. We could have conceded too but great saves from David de Gea, I am not happy with that. It is something we have to avoid.”
Meanwhile, Ten Hag ruled out any injury for Anthony Martial, who went down the tunnel in the second half. He was confident that the Frenchman will feature against Everton in the FA Cup.
However, he was far from optimistic over Donny van de Beek’s injury. The Dutchman was in tears after an apparent knee injury and Ten Hag admitted that it does not look that great.
He told Manutd.com: “I think he will be good [on Martial]. He will be fine. He continued the game so I hope he will recover overnight and be fresh for Friday [against Everton in the Emirates FA Cup].”
“No, that is too quick [on the extent of Van de Beek’s injury]. We have to wait 24 hours and then you can make the right diagnosis. The medical team have to do their work, it doesn’t look that great.”
United’s victory over the Cherries has moved them five points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and seven in front of arch-rivals Liverpool, having played the same number of games.
They now have an FA Cup third-round tie against Everton and a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Charlton Athletic (both at home) before welcoming Manchester City in the Premier League on January 14.
Centre-back duo Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez could start in one of the Cup ties in preparation for the derby. The Red Devils will be aiming to avenge the 6-3 loss to the Cityzens on the road.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
