Manchester United grinded out three points against an aggressive Leeds United side at Elland Road.
Erik Ten Hag's side had to stay in the game until the 83rd minute before Marcus Rashford's header and Alejandro Gernacho's finishing ensured they left West Yorkshire with the three points in the bag.
It was all down to the Dutch tactician's tweaking that helped the Red Devils crush the resilient whites. Marcus Rashford who started the game on the left wing was switched into the number nine position while Wout Weghorst moved into the number 10 role, Bruno Fernandes moved to the right wing while Alejandro Gernacho mesmerized the Leeds United defense on the left wing.
53 year old Erik Ten Hag wasn't impressed with the team's performance but was glad they got the necessary result.
"To play football. A long time in the game, we didn't. Our passing accuracy was not that good."
"I think our players have better skills and they make so many passing mistakes and then you don't get composure in the game. You don't get calmness in the game."
"We were too hectic to go too quickly for the goal, or the extra pass is played. The moment we did it, the goal, we straight [away] score. With the spaces, we made a great first goal for 1-0. It was, once again, a team goal and about formation, about possession, about the switch of play. It was a great cross from Luke Shaw and a magnificent finish as well," he explained.
Further expressed his confidence in the team, stressed on how they overturned the 2-2 stalemate at Old Trafford on Wednesday, and overcame several Leeds United challenges during the game.
"This team is a fit team and we know that. The game is 90 minutes or, if necessary [in cups] 120 minutes, and our team is that fit that it can do that, and withstand that, it can face that, if necessary,"Erik Ten Hag told MUTV.
"We have seen today to keep calm. It is about the meaning of the first goal."
"If Bruno [Fernandes] scores the first goal in the first half, it means the game is going to be more easy. But if you don't score, then also you can score in the last minutes of the game. I think also on Wednesday, we come back from [2-0] down."
"Today, we had to be patient and once you get that first goal you can't make mistakes. On Wednesday, we did, today we didn't. We took the fight, we took the battle, we won a lot of challenges today. So we have a clean sheet and then we will see our players have skills to score goals," he said.
Erik Ten Hag explained his tactical tweaks while Manchester United were dealing with Leeds United's resilience throughout the game. He managed to break it down during his post match interview.
"I want to play my full-back inside," he said, during a series of interviews with the official rights holders. "In my perspective, the best at that is Tyrell Malacia and I think he did well in the first half."
"I think, in possession, he was maybe one of the only players who played in a good level in the first 60 minutes but, because we make such mistakes, I chose to change there and made the subs who worked out very well."
"Ty [played] in the midfield and then [played] on the outside: he was really good with the ball, stopping [Crysencio] Summerville, except in one moment, but for the rest, I think he played a really good game."
The manager was further asked if he had a good weekend following the victory at Elland Road.
"Of course, I'm happy today. When you go to Elland Road and collect three points, you are happy and satisfied," he replied.
"We are all happy, but, especially, I am happy for the fans of Manchester United."
"That we win this rivalry - I'm still a bit disappointed about Wednesday but you know, in a rivalry, you can sometimes drop points that you don't want but we came back and that gives also energy. Now we win away, I think that will really push us more and it will help us to get through the season and will help in the coming games."
"The spirit will keep going and now we have to focus on the next game because again, a different league, but a great game," Erik Ten Hag stated.
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