Manchester United are back on track in the Premier League, with the Reds returning to winning ways earlier on Saturday by way of a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
The affair was far from comfortable at Old Trafford, however, with the visitors not scoring once but twice inside the first four minutes of the game.
United looked stunned to be trailing by two goals before the five-minute mark but they eventually grabbed a stranglehold of proceedings and secured three vital points.
Goals from reunited midfield duo Christian Eriksen and Casemiro ensured United had plenty of time to score the winner, with Bruno Fernandes scoring his first goal of the season from the spot later in the second half.
Speaking after the game, the manager delivered his verdict on the proceedings as United climbed to six points in the table.
“Horror start, but the character of the team was brilliant,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the BBC.
“We stayed so calm and so composed. We stuck to our belief, stuck to our plan, played some good football and scored three good goals. It was a great comeback.
“With all respect to Forest, we can’t allow them [those goals]. They were easy give-aways. It’s crazy, but sometimes games go like this. As I said, we stayed calm.
“It’s a marker, absolutely. We’ve seen this team can bounce back. If you have such a start, you need to get over it. It’s not easy, but compliments to the team.
“We have the personality. In certain moments we can definitely improve, but in general this team has the character to bounce back all the time.”
The result follows last weekend’s difficult 2-0 defeat to Tottenham – a game United were completely passed by in. A lot of work is needed before that game is forgotten but this was certainly a step in the right direction.
United are now set to face the toughest test of their season so far, with Ten Hag’s men making the trip to the Emirates Stadium next week before the first international break of the season.
