Erik ten Hag on Man Utd's 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen in Champions League despite controversial late penalty concede: "It is incredible, a great night, especially in the last dying seconds we concede a penalty, which should not happen"
Wednesday 25 October 2023 14:45, UK
Erik ten Hag says Harry Maguire is now "dominating opponents" and Andre Onana "showed personality" after the pair's match-winning performances in the 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen.
Maguire broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute with a header and has enjoyed a run of first-team football after falling out of favour. "He's playing much more proactively in possession, stepping in, passing vertically," said Ten Hag.
"He's defending on the front foot, defending forward, very confident in the duels, I think he is dominating in the right way with his aggression against opponents. You see he also gets rewarded. Of course, his heading is a skill... a very good finish."
The United manager also praised Onana after his stoppage-time penalty save secured United the win. Onana, like Maguire, was under scrutiny going into the game after several high-profile blunders this season.
"[Onana] showed personality," said Ten Hag. "He knows his levels didn't match his skills before. He could do better. [He had] a very good performance on Saturday. Today, as well. Also, don't forget that brilliant save just after half-time in the counter-attack. Of course, one of his skills is he's a very good penalty-saver."
There was a word too for Christian Eriksen, whose introduction at the interval helped to turn the game in United's favour.
"He was part of it definitely and our build-up got more fluid when he came in," said Ten Hag. "Also, we made some adjustments in constructions and cooperations but Christian definitely plays a big part in that, his timings were good to get free and the best example was his assist for Harry Maguire's goal."
All of which ensures United go into the Manchester derby on Sunday in good spirits, a togetherness they will surely need against the Premier League champions.
"You see it," added Ten Hag. "There is a very good spirit in the dressing room, they fight together, celebrate together and support each other. That spirit is always needed to be a successful team.
"They are together and that is important because the team is more than the sum of the individuals. That is what we have to take into the Manchester derby. To be on one page and stay together."
Ten Hag said FC Copenhagen's late penalty "should not happen" but praised an "incredible" night for the club following Onana's save.
His side finally earned the first win of their Champions League campaign at the third time of asking through Maguire's header, but could have been denied had Jordan Larsson netted a last-gasp spot-kick at Old Trafford.
The penalty was awarded for a high boot from Scott McTominay following a Copenhagen corner - but speaking after the game, Ten Hag thought United's path to victory should not have needed his goalkeeper's intervention.
"It is incredible, a great night, especially in the last dying seconds we concede a penalty, which should not happen," he told TNT Sport. "But then it was a brilliant save from Andre [Onana].
"Slowly we have found our form this season and Harry Maguire played a very good game again and Andre as well had a very brilliant save just after half-time, which was very important.
"We conceded such a soft penalty and I think we should have had a penalty on Rashford, I do not know why that is not a penalty.
"But we dealt with it and that is a step up from a few weeks ago when we got out of rhythm when we had some setbacks from refereeing decisions.
"But now we stayed calm after a poor first half and in the second half, we stepped up and all over, we created more chances than them.
"And finally, the win is justified, but it was a narrow escape in the end."
