Erik ten Hag has reacted to Pep Guardiola’s complimentary verdict on Manchester United’s form.
The Red Devils are on the back of a crucial 1-0 win to West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday thanks to a bullet header from Marcus Rashford and an outstanding performance between the posts from David De Gea.
The win boosted United to fifth in the Premier League table, above rivals Chelsea and one point behind Newcastle with a game in hand. They will face Aston Villa and newly promoted Fulham away from home in their final league fixtures before the World Cup.
De Gea, along with his defenders, secured another clean sheet – their fifth of the season. United managed only eight clean sheets across last season’s entire league campaign.
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Manchester rivals
The Man City manager was impressed with what he had seen from the Reds lately. Midweek, he said (via FootballDaily): “I have the feeling that United is coming back, finally United is coming back. I saw yesterday (against Sheriff) and Chelsea the first half. I thought I like what I see from United just now.”
✅ Manchester United
✅ Newcastle UnitedPep Guardiola says Manchester United aren’t far from competing for the Premier League as well as Newcastle United as they only play one game a week. pic.twitter.com/ot8FbP4R0S
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 29, 2022
Ten Hag responded post-match on Sunday via Sky Sports: “Nice compliment but I also see a lot of room for improvement in our game if we want to complete for top four. First-half I think we have to dominate more on the ball, to bring ourselves in better positions between the lines.
Are Manchester United BACK? 👀
Erik ten Hag responds to Pep Guardiola's comments about his side…🔴 pic.twitter.com/Jq08li3eDH
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 31, 2022
He added: “Second-half we were quite poor in possession. There was a lot of space on the pitch and we gave the ball away too easy. Too many wrong decisions.”
Season is still young, but the interaction and the handling of this squad by ETH is very promising and gives MUFC fans worldwide hope that the uphill way has started…
Give ETH space and time and he will succeed….Cfr what he managed at Ajax…and United has similar to Ajax also a fantastic Academy full of promising youngsters
And the reds go marching on…