Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag careworn the necessity for psychological power and an “outstanding performance” towards Southampton as they proceed to try to get the Liverpool loss out of their system.
This has been a season of progress underneath the Dutchman, who’s simply the second supervisor within the Red Devils’ historical past to win a significant trophy in his first marketing campaign in cost.
But only a week after that Carabao Cup ultimate win towards Newcastle got here a crushing 7-0 defeat at bitter rivals Liverpool – the membership’s joint heaviest lack of all time.
Ten Hag’s males bounced again with a 4-1 victory towards Real Betis in Thursday’s Europa League tie and now return to Premier League motion for the primary time for the reason that Anfield annihilation.
Asked in the event that they once more wanted to point out psychological power when struggling Southampton go to on Sunday, Ten Hag stated: “Ah, definitely.
“We have seen two weeks ago Southampton beat Chelsea away, so we have to play an outstanding performance on Sunday to beat Southampton.
“At the bottom it’s very close, so they will be front foot, they will be aggressive, they will do everything they can do to collect points here.
“So, we have to be 100 per cent and give the best performance to beat them.”
United are, understandably, sturdy favourites with the bookmakers to win towards relegation-threatened Saints, plus they haven’t misplaced a house Premier League sport for the reason that season opener towards Brighton.
We have seen two weeks in the past Southampton beat Chelsea away, so we’ve to play an impressive efficiency on Sunday to beat Southampton
Erik ten Hag
But Ten Hag expects extra from his facet and was aggravated by their gradual begin of their final Old Trafford league sport at house to Leicester, after they survived a ragged first half earlier than occurring to win 3-0.
“I think games are good in the process and every game we are in the rhythm and we plan the game,” Ten Hag stated of balancing long-term progress with a busy schedule.
“We have a gameplan, we give them feedback and in the feedback there is often development points in the way of play.
“So, games are a very good tool to develop the way of play. Every game is an exam as a team and as an individual.”
After Southampton comes two additional exams earlier than the worldwide break, with subsequent weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final at house to Fulham following Thursday’s journey to Seville.
United boast a three-goal cushion heading into the return leg of their Europa League last-16 conflict, that means Ten Hag will certainly be tempted to rotate somewhat.
Facundo Pellistri is amongst these hoping for minutes in Spain after impressing off the bench towards the LaLiga facet at Old Trafford.
“He is the example by deserving his position by performance on the training (ground),” Ten Hag stated after the Uruguay worldwide’s fifth look for the membership.
“And I said the other day, I did not select him for Liverpool and it was not even totally justified because he was training that well.
“Now this was his moment to come on because of a longer period he performed in training. What impressed me was he came on and, straight (away), showed himself.
“When they came on, Scott (McTominay) and Pelli, it was 3-1 but 4-1 is huge, to make the extra goal. In the first moment, they did, which was brilliant.”
