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Man Utd boss Ten Hag: "We dictated the game."

Casemiro's first goal for Man United since joining in the summer helped the Red Devils seal a deserved point against Chelsea.


Erik ten Hag was delighted Casemiro's looping stoppage-time header helped Manchester United secure a deserved point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.


The Dutchman also heaped praise on the Red Devils' resilience and team spirit as they came from a goal down to snatch the point from Graham Potter's Blues on Saturday.



Jorginho's late penalty looked to have given Chelsea three points as the Italian midfielder sent goalkeeper David de Gea the wrong way from the spot after substitute Scott McTominay was deemed to have fouled Armando Broja in the 18-yard box just three minutes from time.


A defeat for United would have been difficult to accept following a brilliant display, especially in the first half in which Potter had to bring on Mateo Kovacic for Marc Cucurella, leading to a more balanced game in west London.



However, ten Hag's men got the reward for their performance when Casemiro leaped high to head Luke Shaw's cross deep into six minutes of stoppage time, forcing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to a full stretch as his fingertip touched the ball, bounced off inside of the post and eventually crossing the line.


'We dictated the game, happy with that.'


Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, speaking to BBC Sport: "I have to make a big compliment to my team. To fight back with a fourth game in 10 days, you see the spirit and how they deal with setbacks. Really good.



"First half Rashford had two big chances, Antony one against one. You have to score goals in such moments because in top games three chances is massive. You have to score.


"We dictated the game and I am happy with that. If you concede a goal late it is difficult.



"Eight minutes before half time we had some troubles but defence in the second half we didn't have troubles. The second half we didn't really create big chances, but also Chelsea didn't.


"I think it is a fair result. I would have been disappointed if we had gone without a point because we didn't deserve that. At the end of a tough week to come here, you bring the point home."



The only concern for Man United on the day was the injury to France defender Raphael Varane, who left the pitch in tears as he fears his World Cup possibilities could be in tatters.


When Ten Hag was asked about the ex-Real Madrid star's situation, he replied: "It is difficult to say how it is now because it is so soon after the game. We have to wait 24 hours and then we will know what it is."


'We kept fighting and working.'


United's Bruno Fernandes added: "We had chances in the first half and could have been 2-0 up. They got the goal from the penalty but we kept fighting. We got the point, it isn't what we want but we never gave up.

"The best chances we had we couldn't score. We kept fighting and working."


The Portugal international did not accept McTominay's ruffle with Broja as a penalty.


He explained: "I said to the referee that in the Premier League this kind of contact is in every game. I didn't see it, I can't say if it was right or not. Scott said he was not holding him. I don't know."


United were without Cristiano Ronaldo because he was axed from the squad as a disciplinary measure following his refusal to come on as a substitute in the win against Tottenham and for walking off before stoppage time at Old Trafford.


When Bruno was asked about his thoughts on Ronaldo's situation, he answered: "We don't talk about that. We keep it inside. We have to deal with that inside and no one else has to know what we want or think. The most important thing for everyone including Cristiano is that the team wins."


On the Man Utd goal, he said: "It was a great cross from Luke Shaw and a great header by Casemiro. We know he has that, he scored many goals against Real Madrid. It was a fantastic goal."



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