Erik ten Hag has given his reaction after Manchester United deservedly beat Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford and in reality, his team should have scored more.
A mixture of shoddy finishing and a string of fantastic Jordan Pickford saves prevented Sean Dyche’s visitors from being on the end of first-half hiding.
United had an eye-watering 21 shots in a one-sided opening period but Scott McTominay eventually made the breakthrough, and that was after Everton’s Ellis Simms wasted a glorious chance at the other end.
The Toffees improved after the break but Erik ten Hag’s men remained in control, with substitute Anthony Martial sealing a 2-0 win as Rashford capitalised on a Seamus Coleman error.
Martial’s return may have come at just the right time given the concerning sight of Rashford pulling up holding his groin late on, before limping heavily around the pitch and down the tunnel.
Ten Hag was critical of his team’s finishing but still praised United’s resolve in getting the three points.
He said: “We have to be more clinical and more ruthless and this game has to be finished by half time and we didn’t. But it is still a very good performance and it is still a big compliment to the team.”
As mentioned, Martial returned from injury to put the final nail in the coffin of Everton and the Dutch manager was pleased to see him back on the scoresheet.
“Once again players coming from the bench having an impact and scoring goals. We have many subs who come on this season and score goals,” he added.
Finally, Ten Hag singled out Bruno Fernandes, who he said put in a man of the match display against the Toffees.
He said: “I think he was brilliant and he has played brilliant in a deeper role and even last week against Newcastle he played very well and today – brilliant. He was definitely the best player on the pitch.”
Man Utd captain Harry Maguire, who played the full 90 minutes, also praised his teammates for an ‘aggressive’ performance.
Maguire said: “Yeah it was a really good performance. Really on the front foot, aggressive. We played in their half and didn’t let them breath. We should have been out of sight so it’s disappointment that we only scored two goals.
“I think every game we want to start like this, we want to be on the front foot and be aggressive. The first half was perfect apart from being a bit more clinical.
“The manager wants us to be aggressive and dominate the game. In the second half we were professional and…
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