Erik ten Hag has hailed Manchester United’s Europa League victory towards Barcelona as “my biggest win” as the membership’s supervisor, and praised the persona of his gamers to come back from behind.
After an electrical first leg on the Nou Camp final week that noticed the edges draw 2-2, Man Utd went behind early on within the second leg after a Robert Lewandowski penalty.
But after the introduction of Antony at half-time, the hosts regarded like a modified aspect. Fred equalised minutes after the break earlier than Antony himself fired dwelling the winner and seal Man Utd’s place within the Europa League final 16.
When requested if that is his biggest win as Man Utd supervisor, Ten Hag instructed BT Sport: “I think so, yes. We’ve had some good wins – Liverpool and Arsenal at home.
“I feel this, over two legs, towards Barcelona – leaders in LaLiga, eight factors forward of Real Madrid. We have all seen Real Madrid this week.
“So if you can beat them, then yes, this is my biggest win.”
He later added: “It was too flat in the first half, a little bit more belief. Our spare man, Casemiro, we did not use enough. Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a lot of space on the right side. We did not use him enough. Our pressing could have been more brave. That is what we said at half-time.”
‘We have nice personalities in our staff’
Leroy Rosenior reacts to Antony’s purpose for Manchester United towards Barcelona which put them 2-1 up at Old Trafford of their Europa League tie
Thursday’s win proved to be a surprising comeback towards one among Europe’s in-kind sides, additional demonstrating simply how far Ten Hag has purchased his staff since his summer time arrival.
He defined to BT Sport: “We have some great personalities in the team – like with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. They come forward.
“Antony and Garnacho do not worry anybody and we’ve got extra. Bruno, Casemiro. We have some nice personalities so even after we get setbacks, they transfer on.
Manchester United’s Fred celebrates his purpose towards Barcelona
“They are resilient and they are focused on getting the result even after conceding a cheap penalty. They believe they can turn it around.”
He additionally praised the contributions of goalscorers Antony and Fred – evaluating his midfielder’s marking of Frenkie de Jong to that of a mosquito.
Antony helped change the sport for Man Utd with his introduction at half-time
He stated: “Antony is brave and he is fearless. I think what he brought in the second half is what we needed, running in behind, the dribbles, his goals. He is brave, he will go for it and when the opportunity comes, he will strike. I think he brings so much to this team.
“Fred had an essential position. Already, final week in Barcelona, and this week, the identical. He needed to first cease Frenkie de Jong from enjoying.
“He had to play as a mosquito around him and go behind and he did it. He was magnificent. A brilliant assist for Rashy in Barcelona and today the goal.”
Jonathan Liew and John Cross mirror on Manchester United’s Europa League win over Barcelona and influence Erik ten Hag has had at Old Trafford
It was one other sport through which half-time substitutions have influenced the outcome, and Ten Hag was eager to emphasize that it takes a squad to achieve success.
He added: “Football is 11 versus 11, we attack with 11 and defend with 11, but it is more than that it is about the squad. You need different types and different profiles.
“When your time is there, it’s a must to be prepared to come back on and contribute to the staff. You can’t win trophies with 11, particularly not these days in soccer, you want a squad to carry completely different dynamics within the sport.”
Analysis: Half-time change wins it for Man Utd
Leroy Rosenior reacts to Fred’s equalising purpose for Manchester United towards Barcelona of their Europa League tie
Sky Sports’ Adam Bate at Old Trafford:
“Manchester United have had 19 goals scored by substitutes in all competitions this season, the most of any side in Europe’s big five leagues. Antony’s will rank as one of the most important and came following a crucial switch by Erik ten Hag at the interval.
“Wout Weghorst has began all 11 video games since signing for United final month and is clearly a favorite of his compatriot. But Ten Hag is ruthless sufficient to recognise when one thing isn’t working and his swift swap at half-time helped his staff to show this tie round.
“Bruno Fernandes moved to the middle, Jadon Sancho reverted to the left. Rashford went up front and offered that threat in behind. Antony played on the right. It worked. Fernandes set up the equaliser having roamed to the left. Antony scored the winner.
“Ten Hag has felt wanting choices for a lot of his time in cost. No doubt he’ll need extra subsequent season. But he has already proven himself able to figuring out what’s required in a sport and discovering the answer. It made the distinction towards Barcelona.”
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