Manchester United are back on the winning track after a narrow 1-0 win over Brentford at Old Trafford as Marcus Rashford’s first-half strike secured all three points.
Erik ten Hag will be delighted to have ended a three-game winless run, with United now moving back into the top four and three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Ten Hag made the decision to drop Wout Weghorst ahead of the game, having named the forward in the starting lineup in each of the 19 games United have played since the Dutchman joined the club in January.
His replacement, Jadon Sancho, enjoyed an encouraging evening in what could be the springboard for success in the final two months of the season.
The victory gives United some breathing room after a tumultuous couple of weeks and speaking after the game, Ten Hag delivered his post-match verdict and expressed his delight at Anthony Martial returning to the fold.
“It was a very good performance,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports, via the BBC. “First half we played brilliant football and it is not easy against a very good Brentford. They defend compact and we didn’t concede any chances. Second half we concede only one chance so then you can say the performance is really good.”
Quizzed further on the performance of United’s matchwinner, Ten Hag was quick to also praise the rest of the team after Rashford scored his 28th goal of the season.
“Very good but we can talk almost every game about it and when he is not in the game like on Sunday, it is no good for us,” Ten Hag said on Rashford.
“We have to bring him in the game but also he has to take responsibility and also other players. So I was really happy with the performance from Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcel Sabitzer because all game they were a threat and they can do it. The retune of Anthony Martial can help us so we have options there.
“We didn’t get the second goal, life would have been easier but now you have to fight to the end. The passion and desire that was missing on Sunday, we showed today. We forgot our standards but we have to return to that if you want to be successful in the final stages of the season.
“This has to give us energy but we go again. Saturday is a big game again, it is going to be a hard game and we know we need energy to beat Everton.”
United will welcome Everton to Old Trafford next in what could be a highly significant moment in the race to secure Champions League football for next season.
The following week, Sevilla are welcomed to the Theatre of Dreams in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.
