Erik ten Hag has praised David De Gea after Man Utd were “quite lucky at times” in their 3-0 Premier League win over AFC Bournemouth.
Manchester United were far from their best against AFC Bournemouth but in the end, it did not matter as they were still able to breeze past their Premier League rivals on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils took control of the game via goals from Casemiro and Luke Shaw before Marcus Rashford added a third for the hosts late on.
This is United’s fourth straight win in the league and they are now level on points with third-placed Newcastle United. There is also now a five-point game between them and Tottenham in fifth.
Man Utd are yet not fully out of the title race either as nine points are between them and leaders Arsenal after 17 games.
Ten Hag was not completely happy with his side post-match but he praised De Gea after he made “some great saves”.
“I’m happy with the result. Today it was not our best game. We have to be honest, we didn’t play that smart as a team. We made great goals, but at times we were quite lucky, and some great saves from David [de Gea]. We could have been smarter as a team,” Ten Hag said.
“There were big spaces at 2-0 up, sometimes we have to keep the ball and recognise when to go for goal. That is the next step. It is always good to win 3-0. It was a great performance for the crowd, with scoring opportunities for both goals. To win 3-0 is always good.
“We have to go from game-to-game. The next game is a cup one, but we want to win every game. That has to be the approach. We don’t want to look any further, focus on that, it will be a tough game. We need every energy in the preparation and when we kick off on Friday night.”
On Donny van de Beek’s injury: “We need to wait 24 hours, but it is not looking very good.”
De Gea added after United’s victory that there is currently a positive feeling in the club’s dressing room.
“We played really well and scored from a free-kick and in the second-half, in the first 15 to 20 minutes we controlled the game well but after the second goal they had some counter attacks where there was space in the middle of the pitch and we cannot concede clear chances but I made some saves and we got the three points in the end.
“Everyone is really focused. We changed both centre-backs and they played really well. The feeling in the dressing room is that everyone wants to win and go the same way.”
Manchester United ‘hold interest in Randal Kolo Muani’
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Manchester United have reportedly identified Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani as a possible replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
With the Portuguese superstar having been allowed to depart on a free transfer last month, United are one attacker down heading into 2023.
While Marcus Rashford is currently starring in the final third and Anthony Martial is looking to put together a run of games down the middle of the frontline, United require further competition.
Last week, head coach Erik ten Hag was quizzed on the situation, the Dutchman acknowledging that he was keen to bring in at least one fresh face in that area of the pitch.
Ten Hag told reporters: “I think we have a squad. We have the players who are matching our criteria. But with all the games that are coming, it is tough competition in all the leagues.
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“But if you want to also be in all the leagues and keep playing in all the leagues by winning games and cups as well. So, you need players, you need numbers to cover.
“So, we need good players. Not only numbers, you need quality players to cover that and also that you need competition. And you need also that you can make tactical choices. So, we are looking for the right player for our squad and has to match our sporting criteria but also our financial criteria.”
At a time when United are being linked with a wide array of players, transfer expert Nicolo Schira claims that United are monitoring any developments with the future of Kolo Muani.
In his first season at Frankfurt, the 24-year-old has already contributed seven goals and nine assists from 20 appearances in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
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Kolo Muani further enhanced his growing reputation at the World Cup while representing France, scoring as a substitute in the semi-finals and generally impressing in the final versus Argentina.
However, Schira adds that Frankfurt are not prepared to consider parting ways with the versatile player for anything less than €60m (£53.06m).
That is a fee which may be deemed beyond United at this stage, with another report indicating that club officials have little intention of paying a substantial fee to complete the straight loan of Atletico Madrid‘s Joao Felix.
With Ronaldo having recently signed for Al-Nassr, it has been suggested that Vincent Aboubakar may be allowed to depart the Saudi Arabian club with Old Trafford a potential destination.
United had been regarded as the favourites to sign Cody Gakpo before the Netherlands international made the surprise switch to Liverpool during the new year.
Source: football365.com
