Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag makes Facundo Pellistri feelings clear after Real Betis win | Football | Sport
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has spoken out after his side’s 1-0 win over Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday night. The Red Devils had gone into the game all but through after a 4-1 victory at home last week. And Marcus Rashford’s goal was enough to propel them through to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Manchester United sprung a surprise before the game, with Pellistri starting at a time where Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are out injured.
And Ten Hag has hailed the Uruguay international for the way he performed, insisting he was happy with the youngster’s showing on his first start for the club.
“I think all the players did very well. Once again, players who come in with us can do the job and give a good performance,” he said when asked about the winger.
“So we not only have 11 players we have a squad.
“And for Facundo it is good to come in, he had some good comments, good performances in training but a game is different.
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“Then you see the energy is out of the opponent and we get the first goal.”
Another player who was given a rare start for United was Harry Maguire.
The England international has been unleashed from the beginning of games just 11 times for his club this season, but managed to keep a much-needed clean sheet.
And Maguire was happy with the result, telling BT Sport: “It’s been a good two games over the two legs.
“Betis are a good team they’re fifth in La Liga. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy draw.
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“They came at us and threw everything at us. But we expected a fast start from them.
“We knew if we didn’t concede in the first 20 minutes it would have been a big part of the game well done.
“In the second half we controlled the game really well, we got the goal we deserved and after that we played well.”
On his lack of game time this season, he then added: “Listen, I work hard at the training ground and that’s only what you can do.
“I put everything into training. We have good coaches at this club, they put on really good sessions for us.
“It’s not been too long since my last game it was only a couple of weeks ago.
“And I’ve started five, six or seven games since the World Cup.
“Obviously I want to play more and start more games. but I’m playing my part on and off the field.
“It’s nice to get out there and lead the team which is the most important part for myself and for the group.
“I have an important role on and off the field at this club and every day I try and make this club succeed whether I’m playing or not. So that’s my main focus at the moment. We’ve had a little set back in recent weeks so we just need to pick ourselves up and I think it’s been a good response from the lads since then.”
