When the two teams square off in a Premier League match at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, Erik ten Hag has insisted that his Manchester United players must be mindful of Tottenham Hotspur’s quick counterattacks.
With a game in hand, the Red Devils are in fifth place, two spots behind Spurs.
United enter the contest on the back of Sunday’s controversial 0-0 draw with Newcastle. Ten Hag’s side were denied two penalties by referee Craig Pawson, despite Sean Longstaff’s clear contact on Jadon Sancho in the box.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have won four of their last five league games and beat Everton 2-0 at home on Saturday. They are also only one of four teams in the Premier League to lose once this season.
What Did Ten Hag Say?
Ten Hag is aware that his Red Devils team will need to be super cautious if they hope to keep Spurs from leaving the Theatre of Dreams with all three points. The Dutchman asks that his team “make the game” their own.
He told the club’s media team: “They’re a really good team and, once again, they’re a really intense team, so we have to match that. They are well-organised, so we have to be prepared.
“They can break very quickly. We have to be aware of that. They can defend really solid and compact, but we have to find the gaps.
“We have to make it our game, so we need the best from everyone: the 11 players on the pitch but also on the bench that can make a difference, finally.”
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However, Ten Hag can be reassured with United’s recent defensive performances. They have kept two clean sheets in their last three games, conceding just once. The Dutchman insisted their recent performances have been a team effort.
“We defend with eleven [players],” he said. “It’s a team performance, from the front to the back.
“Really good defending and then you’ll see then that you can achieve clean sheets. It’s a base for every successful team.”
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