Erik ten Hag demands more from players despite 'brilliant' Man Utd performance over Everton - 'More ruthless'
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Updated 08/04/2023 at 18:05 GMT+1
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted his side need to show more quality with their finishing, even though they beat Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford. Goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial moved United into third place in the Premier League, as they have a provisional six-point buffer over fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur, who play later on Saturday afternoon.
'We can only pray' - Ten Hag blames Rashford injury on heavy schedule
Erik ten Hag has called on his Manchester United team to be “more clinical” and “ruthless” despite their comfortable 2-0 victory over Everton.
United had a club-record 21 shots in the first half, their most since stats were first recorded in 2003, and it’s also the highest number from a Premier League team this season.
However, they scored just one goal in that period, as Scott McTominay struck the ball past Jordan Pickford with a fine finish, before Anthony Martial found the back of the net in the second half.
“We have to be more clinical, more ruthless in the box,” Ten Hag told BT Sport. “The game should have been finished by half-time. It wasn’t, but it was still a brilliant performance.
“It’s very good after three games in six days, so a big compliment to the team. There were many players that played at a high level.
“Once again, players coming off the bench for us have an impact, scoring goals and contributing to other departments in the team.”
Bruno Fernandes has played the most minutes of any player in Europe’s top five leagues this season and dictated the play as United kept Everton quiet for most of the match.
Ten Hag thinks the Portuguese international has consistently provided top performances recently.
“I think he was brilliant,” he said. “He’s already playing brilliant over many games. In a deeper role, not everyone recognises him, even last week against Newcastle he was playing very well.
“This week, against Brentford he defended really well and today he was one of the best, maybe the best, player on the pitch.”
Marcus Rashford pulled up with 10 minutes to go when running into the box, holding his left groin as he immediately asked to come off.
United have played three games in the last six days, which Ten Hag suggested is the reason for the injury.
“It doesn’t look well,” the United manager revealed. “That’s due to the schedule. It can’t be [that] you play three games in six days.
“We have to protect our players. Everyone wants the best players on the pitch, great entertaining football. Then you need your best players.”
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