Man United cruised past Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford but will need to beat Real Sociedad by two goals next week to top Group E of the Europa League.
Erik Ten Hag hailed Manchester United’s 'focussed win' against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday night, adding he was 'pleased with how they 'occupied positions and scored.'
The United boss also expressed his happiness at how the Red Devils managed the game and kept a clean sheet against the Moldovan club at Old Trafford.
Diogo Dalot broke the deadlock a minute before half-time as the Portuguese right-back nodded in Cristian Eriksen’s corner kick.
Then 20 mins into the second half, substitute Marcus Rashford doubled the lead before Cristiano Ronaldo put the icing on the cake to make it 3-0.
The victory means United are guaranteed to qualify for the next round but they must beat Real Sociedad by at least two goals next week to finish as Group E winners.
'It was a focused win'
Speaking to BT Sport, ten Hag said of his Red Devils’ performance: "It was OK. Of course. you hope you score in the first half hour so it took a bit long but we deserved that goal.
"The second half we scored two more good goals from open play and I'm pleased with the clean sheet because we gave nothing away. It was a focused win.
"Our occupation of space in the box could still be done better, the second and third goals we did that well. We occupied positions and scored."
United finished the game with Rashford partnering Ronaldo at the top, with both players hitting the net during that phase of the game, and the boss said of the tactic: "I think tonight with Cristiano and Marcus in the back that worked well, that worked very well.
"I was happy with that and I must say also Donny came in and in the last part he had also some good positions, in-between the lines, so I think also that combination was good."
'Antony substitution more or less planned'
When asked if Antony's half-time substitution was a reaction to his showboating in the first half, the Dutchman was quick to reply: "No. It was more or less planned if we were up. I wanted to see Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo close together and the dynamic on the right side.
"Garnacho played well, he was good in his action, so that was good to see.
"Seeing Ronaldo get his goal was great. He created, the team created for him and we know he has the capability to finish. He needed a goal and now I'm confident there will be more goals."
'It's not a skill, it's being a clown'
Former Man United midfielder Paul Scholes, who was working as a pundit on the night said he doesn't believe Ten Hag's answer about Antony, who did a double spin and wrongly passed the ball out of play for a goal-kick to the opponents.
"More or less?" the ex-England international sniffed and then added: "It's not skill or entertainment. It's just being a clown."
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