Ten Hag clarifies Antony half-time decision; ‘confident’ Ronaldo will get ‘more goals’

Man Utd head coach Erik ten Hag has defined why he opted to take Antony off at half-time throughout his facet’s 3-0 victory over FC Sheriff.

Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford netted both facet of half-time to position United accountable for their newest Europa League group tie.

After spurning a few possibilities, Cristiano Ronaldo lastly obtained on the scoresheet with round ten minutes remaining. This was the 701st membership purpose of his profession. 

The sport ought to have been useless and buried by half-time however United didn’t benefit from their alternatives.

When the rating was 0-0, Antony determined to showboat on the suitable flank as he spun with the ball at his ft with nobody near him.

This assault got here to nothing although because the summer season signing then handed the ball straight out for a purpose kick.

Antony was subsequently criticised by Paul Scholes and he was introduced off by Ten Hag earlier than the second-half.

United go into their closing group sport subsequent week needing to beat Actual Sociedad by at the very least two objectives to prime Group E.

Ten Hag acknowledged post-match that his gamers carried out “okay” and he’s “happy with he clear sheet”.

“It was OK. In fact, you hope you rating within the first half hour so it took a bit lengthy however we deserved that purpose.

“The second half we scored two extra good objectives from open play and I’m happy with the clear sheet as a result of we gave nothing away. It was a centered win.

“Our occupation of house within the field might nonetheless be executed higher, the second and third objectives we did that properly. We occupied positions and scored.”

When requested if Antony was introduced off as a result of his showboating, Ten Hag answered: “No. It was roughly deliberate if we had been up. I wished to see Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo shut collectively and the dynamic on the suitable facet.

“Garnacho performed properly, he was good in his motion, in order that was good to see.

“Seeing Ronaldo get his purpose was nice. He created, the workforce created for him and we all know he has the aptitude to complete. He wanted a purpose and now I’m assured there shall be extra objectives.”

Rashford additionally spoke post-match and he thinks United’s gamers remained “calm” after they wanted to create extra possibilities.

“They set as much as defend properly and play on the counter. It took us some time and obtained the primary purpose from a set piece so we’re pleased with that. As soon as we went 1-0 forward, the house opened up and we might have gotten just a few extra,” Rashford stated.

“Not getting the primary purpose rapidly results in a mixture between frustration and tranquility, it’s a must to be calm to create possibilities and be medical in taking them.

“Scoring earlier than half-time was a giant assist, it allowed us to search for extra objectives and house and we discovered them. It was about getting the job executed.”

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