Erik ten Hag praises Manchester United for overcoming ‘horror start’ against Nottingham Forest
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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes (left) celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised his team for bouncing back from a “horror start” to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2
The hosts were 2-0 down and in disarray after just three minutes and 47 seconds, with Taiwo Awoniyi scoring a solo effort on the break and Willy Boly heading in a second goal for the visitors.
But Christian Eriksen pulled one back and goals from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes sealed the points, even if the display was unconvincing again in the early part of this season.
“It’s a horror start giving them two goals and making mistakes, but I’m very pleased with the comeback,” ten Hag said.
“The leadership, how we stayed calm and composed, stick to the plan and belief and turnaround. We played very good football, straight out of the plan and principles and rules, and we scored good goals.
“With all respect to Forest, we can’t allow them (the goals). They were easy giveaways. It’s crazy, but sometimes games go like this.”
Forest were reduced to 10 men when Joe Worrall saw red for denying Fernandes a scoring opportunity and, nine minutes later, United scored their third goal from a spot kick which was given when Marcus Rashford was clipped in the box.
The Red Devils began the Premier League season with a sloppy 1-0 defeat of visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers and were outplayed at Tottenham Hotspur last week in a 2-0 loss.
So Saturday’s win, despite the struggles, was much welcome for the team and fans alike, and ten Hag insisted that it was natural that sides have teething problems early in the season.
“Every team in the start has areas they have to improve and we have some, we have to progress there if you want to be successful, but you see this team as big characters, big personalities,” he said.
“There’s big spirit in this team, they found a way to win. We have the personality.
“In certain moments we can definitely improve but, in general, this team has the character to bounce back all the time.”
Fernandes, who scored the penalty and provided the assist for Casemiro, was inspirational and ten Hag was effusive in his praise for the Portugal midfielder, who has been criticised in his early weeks as club captain for alleged negative body language towards his teammates.
“In all aspects he played a very good game at the highest level, keeping calm, using his emotions at the right moment. He was brilliant in attacking, making a difference, very pleased with his performance,” the United boss said.
There was one casualty of the win with defender Raphael Varane forced off with an injury.
“He had complaints, we didn’t want to risk him, we have Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, who could replace him, so we don’t take a risk,” added ten Hag.
Next up for United is a clash at the Emirates on Sunday against Arsenal, who have problems of their own after allowing 10-man Fulham to salvage a point late in their 2-2 draw on Saturday.
REUTERS, AFP
