Erik ten Hag reveals his Half-Time team talk that initiated Manchester United’s comeback over Aston Villa

Erik ten Hag reveals how he motivated his players to go on and secure the comeback against Villa.

Erik ten Hag reveals his Half-Time team talk that initiated Manchester United’s comeback over Aston Villa

Erik ten Hag( via Goal.com )

Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag has opened up on what he said to his players during half-time. The team talk worked wonders for the players as they went on to secure a massive comeback victory over Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

United were 2-0 down at halftime but came back in the second half to secure a stunning 3-2 victory. Ten Hag attributed his team’s conceded goals due to lapses in concentration while praising their persistence to keep going. During halftime, he encouraged the players to keep believing in themselves and their capabilities.

YouTube video

He also asked them to intensify their efforts, be aggressive while applying pressure, and concentrate during set pieces. He also reminded them of their ability to challenge to win the game even while trailing against top opponents, much like their home comeback derby win against Manchester City last season. Goals came from Alejandro Garnacho scoring a brace and Rasmus Hojlund finally getting his first Premier League goal after over 14 appearances.

Here is an excerpt of what Ten Hag told his players:

At half-time I said to the team: 'Keep believing, and keep doing what we did, actually do even more'. We needed to put more and more pressure on. At 1-2 then when we added pressure you see what happened.
Erik ten Hag during halftime

This victory elevates the Red Devils back to the Top six in the league. Despite facing massive criticism, Erik ten Hag backed up his players, including Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and goalscorer Hojlund. New owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s entourage and director of sports of the INEOS group, Sir Dave Brailsford, were also present to witness the game. United is just five points behind the top-four spot as its silverware hopes remain alive.

Bruno Fernandes shares motivating words for Rasmus Hojlund after his first Premier League goal for Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes hopes Rasmus Hojlund’s winning goal against Aston Villa isn’t his career peak. Hojlund, ending a goal drought, secured a crucial 3-2 comeback victory for Manchester United after Garnacho’s double leveled the score.

Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes jovial after United's comeback over Villa
Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes jovial after United’s comeback over Villa ( via PA and Manchester United News )

Fernandes stressed the importance of the three points and handling pressure at a top club like Manchester United. He urged Hojlund to build on the goal, expressing optimism for more memorable moments ahead.

Hojlund’s breakthrough made him joint-top scorer for United this season, lifting them to sixth in the Premier League. Fernandes recognized the pressure at a top club and stressed confidence for goal-scoring strikers.

In case you missed: