Erik ten Hag hailed his Manchester United players for the “fighting spirit” they showed in beating arch rivals Liverpool.
Ten Hag won his first Premier League game in charge of United with a 2-1 win over Jurgen Klopp's side at Old Trafford and said his players had shown what they can do. After back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Brentford, the latter a humiliating 4-0 loss, Ten Hag dropped Cristiano Ronaldo and captain Harry Maguire, with both calls vindicated.
"I'm really satisfied and happy,” said Ten Hag. “We wanted different approach and we have got that. Brentford was not the way I way I want to see football. I want to see fight, in and out of possession. We have seen that today all over the pitch.
"We have a long way to go. We are in process, you have to deal with setbacks as well as highlights. We have just started. We have a lot of room for improvement. But I hope the players understand the basis is always the fighting spirit.”
Asked what his thinking was by dropping Maguire and Ronaldo, Ten Hag said: "We have a squad and a way of playing, a style, but also the game plan, so you look at what the best approach is, and that is what we did today.
“Saturday can be different, we need the squad, we have got many games to cover. We stick together as a squad and can achieve a lot.
"The demand is for everyone, also for the manager. We have to deliver. You have the obligations to the club, to the fans, this is a massive club, with a huge fanbase and we have to deliver that. We have to act as a team and every individual, every day has to give their best. That is the demand for the manager and also for the team."
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Asked if Ronaldo, at 37, can adapt to Ten Hag's pressing style of play, the United boss said: "I think he can, and in his whole career and under several managers, he did.
“Several styles, system, he always performed. Why can't he do this? He's 37. And? His age is not an issue. If you are young you are good enough and when you are old you still deliver the performance you are also good enough."
On new signing Casemiro, Ten Hag said: "He has won so many trophies, so he knows the road to how you win games and win trophies. We have more players who have already won many trophies, so that has to be a guidance for the rest of the team. Today we did really well. It is what we must deliver every game."
