Erik ten Hag hailed his experienced players for helping Manchester United’s kids shine in the second half against Lyon on Wednesday.
Manchester United made it two wins from as many games in pre-season. Jonny Evans, Fred and Donny van de Beek were the experienced trio in the second half.
Van de Beek’s second half goal proved to be enough against a Lyon side that offered nothing in attack.
Dan Gore, 18, set up that goal with a stunning cross and the manager felt there was a good mixture of experience and youth on the pitch.
“I think it was a good mix between experience and young players,” Ten Hag told MUTV after the match, as per the Manchester Evening News. “Donny with experience, Fred a lot of experience, Jonny Evans even more experience.
“With that in the middle of the park then you see young lads can improve their game because they get coached. What they did very well was working on a certain way of playing they transferred to the pitch.”
The first-half was similar to the Leeds game – given how United created many chances, but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.
“First half, how we started, three massive chances, that is a criticism, you have to score, it was already last year our problem, we have to realise and we have to be more clinical and ruthless in those situations,” Ten Hag added.
“But good pressing, good turnovers, happy with that. In the first half it was a really competitive game. The second half we totally dominated the game. Some young lads made a very good impression.”
United’s next game is against Arsenal on Saturday in the United States.
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