Erik ten Hag says his Manchester United side’s 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday had the “domination, passion and desire” that was lacking during their 2-0 loss against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford’s first-half goal was the difference between the two sides at Old Trafford, with United moving back into the Champions League places as a result.
“(I liked) a lot,” Ten Hag said about his side’s performance. “The way we played in the first half against Brentford, who are a very tough opponent when you see their results against top teams. It is very difficult to create chances against them and we created something.
“On the ball, we played very well. Bruno played brilliantly on the ball and dictated the rhythm of the game. We make the overload in the midfield and our wide players played really well. In the second half, it was more of a battle, but you saw the domination, passion and the desire that I missed on Sunday.
“I think these are the standards we have to bring to every game. It is not acceptable what we did on Sunday, we know that. This was not United, nor was it the standards from United.”
The only blot on the win was perhaps an apparent injury sustained by Luke Shaw. The defender had to be withdrawn in the 37th minute of the match and went straight down the tunnel.
Ten Hag remained vague on Shaw’s injury after the game, saying: “I can’t say in this moment. We will wait until tomorrow. I took him straight off and didn’t want to risk it.”
Asked what the injury was, the Dutchman replied: “It’s personal.”
United had the better of the first half and went ahead through Rashford in the 27th minute. The England international converted from close range after Marcel Sabitzer knocked down a chipped pass from Antony following a United corner.
Brentford came back into the game in the second half, with David de Gea called upon to make a block after substitute Kevin Schade had been played through.
The away side, though, could not find a way through and United held on to claim a win that moves them above Tottenham Hotspur and into fourth place in the Premier League. Ten Hag’s side remain level on points with Newcastle United, who claimed a 5-1 away win against West Ham United on Wednesday.
United are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they host Everton.
