Erik ten Hag admits Manchester United’s thrilling 4-3 win over Wolves on Thursday brought “a few headaches”.
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund gave United a deserved 2-0 lead over Gary O’Neil’s side, before a controversial penalty decision was converted by Pablo Sarabia to make it 2-1. United then restored their two-goal cushion through Scott McTominay with a deft header.
But the hosts hit back through Max Kilman and Pedro Neto to make it 3-3 before Kobbie Mainoo’s superb 97th-minute finish sealed all three points. And Ten Haag admits the clash at Molineux should never have been a contest when United put themselves in a position to lead at half-time.
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“Yes, we were, of course, very happy with the win,” he said the club’s website. “It was a match with a lot of stories and we are happy with our levels – the first hour, I would say, especially the first 45 minutes.
“But after that, we should have killed the game and we didn’t. We let them come back, but then the team showed character and got the win, so I’m happy for our fans. I’d say it was a thriller. For neutral spectator, it was also very nice to watch this game. But for a coach, it causes headaches.”
United face West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday, with the two teams separated by just one point. Ten Haag acknowledged that the West Ham game will be difficult, with the Hammers coming into the game with a point to prove.
“Yeah, but it’s always about us,” he said. “I always have a lot of respect and I already mentioned the qualities, the positives from West Ham United. But it’s about us – where we deliver our standards, when we bring it on the pitch, when we play as a team, then it will win the game whatever even if it happens.
“So it’s all about us, they take responsibility as a team to win the game because the fans need the win and we need the three points.” And the Dutchman admits his side cannot afford to drop many more points as they sit nine points clear of the top four.
“It will not be decisive for the end of the season, but for the Premier League. [there are] seven or eight teams competing for those four [Champions League] places, so we can’t give points,” Ten Haag added.
“You need every point and you have to fight for every point because points will be more expensive when you get to the end of the season, so we have to make sure it puts us in the right place in February. we have to win on Sunday.”
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