Erik ten Hag takes pride in Manchester United resurgence… but dodges title talk

Erik ten Hag said “confidence is building” at Manchester United after Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth, but insisted it was still too early to think of a Premier League title challenge.

Marcus Rashford scored for the fourth straight game to add to earlier goals from Casemiro and Luke Shaw as United posted four straight league wins and 13 round of 16 wins in all competitions.

The victory left United fourth, a point behind rival Manchester City, who face Chelsea on Thursday before their next league fixture is the Old Trafford derby on January 14.

Erik ten Hag’s team beat Bournemouth 3-0 and fell one point behind Manchester City

United’s recent form is up there with almost anyone, but Ten Hag tried to brush off a question about the title race.

“That’s a big step,” he said. ‘We have to go game by game, get progress.

“The belief is growing and that’s a good sign, it’s good to have that feeling, but we have to understand and be able to give 100% in every game: 100% energy, 100% concentration, 100% team play. “. .

Manchester United managed nine wins in ten in all competitions on Tuesday night against Bournemouth.

‘If you maintain that philosophy, it’s possible, but we have to go game by game and not think too much about the future. It’s January now, so it’s not even the middle of a season we’re talking about.

United secured what was a comfortable victory despite only occasionally touching the top of the drive, with Casemiro’s goal the only shot on goal in the first half.

Shaw created and finished off the second, breaking in from his own half, moving the ball to the right and nailing the finisher as Alejandro Garnacho rolled in a low cross.

David De Gea then made saves to deny Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony before Rashford finished things off on 86 minutes.

Ten Hag, who will wait until Wednesday for more information on a potentially serious injury to Donny van de Beek, said it had been a far from perfect performance and warned his team they needed to play smarter going forward.

Ten Hag alluded to the progress his team has made, but banished any premature talk of the title.

“I think we have two main departments, offense and defense, and a big gap in the middle, and that cost us a lot of energy,” he said. We got into a tennis match and we don’t want to play tennis, we want to play soccer.

‘We want to keep the ball, keep possession, recognize when to speed up and go on goal, but it took too much energy. The bottom line took a big risk and when it was difficult to come back we stretched.

“It’s the next step we have to take and we’re still in the process.”

Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil called Saturday’s performance in a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace the worst of his tenure, but was much happier with the performance at Old Trafford despite the final scoreline.

“I thought it was very good,” he said. The 3-0 was hard for us. We had some really great opportunities. His first goal was disappointing because we kept them at bay and didn’t feel threatened at 0-0.

Gary O’Neil said that he was happy with his team’s performance and that the score did not reflect the game itself.

“The guys nailed form out of possession and we broke up a couple of times, so conceding a deflected free kick when we were deep in the game was tough for them, we didn’t deserve it.”

‘After half time, we tried to be more aggressive with the press more often, but they caught us and we’re 2-0. It’s a tough question from then on, but the response was excellent and we had six great chances with David De Gea making great saves.

“Most of United’s chances came when we opened up the field, so there’s a lot to be pleased about.”