Manchester United came from a goal behind to beat West Ham in the round of 16 of the Emirates FA Cup on Wednesday evening. The Red Devils claimed a 3-1 win over the Hammers to book a place in the quarter-finals.
After the game, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacted to his team’s victory over the Hammers and also gave reasons why he deployed Harry Maguire as a right centre defender instead of his favourite left side.
“My way of playing it’s better. I prefer to have players with a lot of intensity. He had a good performance. He took the initiative in and out of possession, he was demanding the ball, he had some really good moments. I have to give him coaching and instructions.
“I showed him a video [of his performances and of other players] on how to outplay opponents and how to have more of an impact. His skills are really high, for a centre-back he has so many skills and he has to use that.”
On Weghorst, Ten Hag said: “He was one of the best players on the pitch. He was involved and forced the own goal from the opponent, for Garnacho’s goal he was pressing, with the third goal he was giving a good press and Fred can score.
“He is doing a very good job for the team. At the start of the season Marcus Rashford didn’t score every game, but I know that [the goals] will come for him. When he has the first goal, more will come.”
On the fans, Ten Hag said: “Togetherness, we build it with the fans. It starts with the team to show energy. The ambiance and energy goes back to the players. With more energy [from the fans] you go faster, keep going to make recoveries, it has a big impact.”
