Erik ten Hag was delighted by Manchester United’s response to their “horror start” against Nottingham Forest. But they dug deep and pulled one back through Christian Eriksen, with Casemiro equalising after the break and Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty to complete the turnaround shortly after Forest’s Joe Worrall was dismissed. Ten Hag said with a wink after his side’s dramatic 3-2 win
Erik ten Hag said: “We want to give the fans something, eh? Of course it is a horror start, giving them two goals and making mistakes. But I am very pleased with the comeback, with the leadership, how we stayed calm and composed. We stick to the plans, stick to the belief and turn it around and I think we played in the meantime very good football out of our plan and out of our principles and rules. We scored good goals.”
Asked if he views the comeback win more positively than negatively,
Erik ten Hag said: “I think every team in the start (of the season) have areas where they have to improve. Definitely we have also some and we have to progress there if you want to be successful. But also you see this team has big character, big personality, there is a very good spirit in this team, there is energy and they found a way to win so, for today, big compliment for the team.”
Fernandes, appointed captain in the summer, was at the heart of United’s comeback. The skipper provided the assist for Casemiro’s leveller, drew the foul that saw Worrall sent off and fired home the match-winning penalty a week on from being criticised for his role in the Spurs loss.
Erik ten Hag said: “I think in almost all the aspects, moments of football, he played a very good game at the highest level. Keeping calm, for instance, emotions under control but in the right moment using his emotions. He was brilliant in attacking, making the difference, so (I’m) very pleased with his performance.”
