Can they still make top 4? Here’s what Man United coach said after the 2-1 win over Aston Villa
Manchester United’s Top 4 Ambitions: Ten Hag’s Assessment After Aston Villa Triumph
Following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over in-form Aston Villa, Manchester United’s coach, Erik ten Hag, addressed the win and the team’s prospects of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Despite currently sitting in 6th place, just 6 points adrift of 4th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, Ten Hag remains optimistic about their chances.
Late Heroics Secure Vital Win
Scott McTominay’s decisive header in the dying moments sealed Manchester United’s third consecutive Premier League triumph, edging out Aston Villa 2-1 away and narrowing the gap to our fifth-placed opponents to five points.
McTominay’s eighth goal of the season underscored his growing importance to the team, marking his best scoring campaign yet.
United seized an early lead in the 17th minute courtesy of Rasmus Hojlund, who extended his scoring streak to five consecutive Premier League games.
However, Villa capitalized on early second-half pressure, with Douglas Luiz equalizing with a quarter of the game remaining.
Erik ten Hag had emphasized the need for everyone to step up and maintain momentum before kick-off. The players responded admirably, pushing until the final whistle to regain the lead.
Maintaining Momentum and Response to Adversity
Speaking after the match, Ten Hag emphasized the importance of sustaining their recent momentum and responded positively to the challenge posed by Aston Villa.
He noted, “Our set pieces were very good. Our defensive organization in the first part was very good, and we had moments on the ball. We were calm, but once we scored, we changed our mindset, but for me, you must play on. You can do this at the end, but not when you are dictating the first 20 minutes; you must keep going on.“
“We started very good, but then we dropped in level and we played too deep. We forgot the pressing a little bit and gave the initiative away, which was unnecessary because we were so good until the goal.“
Remaining Positive and Focused on Improvement
Despite the victory, Ten Hag remained focused on the task ahead and the areas needing improvement.
He stressed the need to maintain a positive mindset and continuous improvement, saying, “I never think about negative situations. I’m thinking positively; we have to catch up, but we are not there yet. We are in a good mood, and we have to keep this process going, but there is so much space for improvement. There are many games left to play, and we’ll see what happens, he concluded.“
With the race for a top-four finish heating up, Ten Hag’s words reflect a determined and optimistic outlook within the Manchester United camp.
As they continue to chase their aspirations, their ability to sustain momentum, address weaknesses, and maintain a positive mindset will be crucial in the remaining matches of the season.
