Ten Hag got what he wanted at Wolves after pre-match statement
Arvin Amin
Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag (R) gestures to Manchester United's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (C) as he is substituted for Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred (L) during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on December 31, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United are gaining momentum under Erik ten Hag and have now won eight of their last nine games in all competitions.
A late winner from Marcus Rashford on Saturday afternoon meant that United are now in the top four for the first time this season following three consecutive league wins.
Rashford has arguably been United’s best player so far this campaign, scoring 11 goals thus far. He was, however, a surprise exclusion from the side for today’s game.
The 25-year-old was named on the bench despite scoring in both of United’s games since club football was resumed, with Ten Hag revealing before the game that it was down to a disciplinary issue.
It didn’t take long for Rashford to be introduced, however, with the manager using his first substitute at half-time. Inevitably, it was also Rashford who would score the winner before having another goal chalked off by VAR.
Rashford’s strike means that United have now scored 11 goals through substitutes since the start of the season – something Ten Hag carefully stressed having importance before the game against Wolves.
“And I am happy once again it was a player who came from the bench, Fred, who is scoring a goal. I think all the subs who came on [against Forest] did really well.
“In the offensive department, you need players coming from the bench who will have an impact on the game, whether you need a goal or, if you are leading, [someone] that can go for a counter attack and keep the win on your side.”
Ten Hag certainly got what he was asking for against Wolves. The ability to change the outcome of a game with your substitutions is a skill and when you have players like Rashford available, they must be utilised.
Fred, who has lost his place as a first-team starter under Ten Hag, is often introduced from the bench and the Brazilian had an impact this weekend as well.
