Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised his substitutes after Marcus Rashford scored two and set up fellow introduction Anthony Martial as Manchester United escaped a scare at Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League.
Wounded by Sunday’s 6-3 derby defeat at Manchester City, the Red Devils were stung in Cyprus after making a strong start as the hosts capitalised on lax defending to go ahead through Karim Ansarifard.
Omonia scored after Tyrell Malacia was dispossessed having collected a pass from ineffective Jadon Sancho following a clear free-kick, with Ten Hag replacing them with Luke Shaw and Rashford at half time.
The latter would go on to score either side of a fine goal by second-half substitute Martial, putting the Group E encounter out of reach despite Omonia replacement Nikolas Panayiotou making it 3-2 late on.
Speaking to The National after the game, Ten Hag said he was happy with how his players responded to falling behind and praised the impact of his substitutes.
"Football is a game of mistakes," the Dutchman said. "The first 30 or 35 minutes we played quite well, the only thing we didn't do was score a goal. When you score a goal you make your life easy, we didn't, then we concede a goal and it was the worst 10 minutes from the game from us. After half time, we dealt well with the setback."
On taking off Malacia and Sancho, Ten Hag added: "It was not what I was happy with, he movement with our ball, the width on the left side, for me was no good first-half. The movement from behind the defending line, so I hoped with Luke and Marcus we get more effect from that and so in my opinion that is what happened."
The victory provided an important three points in United’s quest to reach the Europa League knockout stages, having lost their Group E opener at home to Real Sociedad.
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 6 - His side enjoyed 76 per cent possession in the first half, but Omonia had one shot on target in the first 45 and scored. Quiet night. AFP -
Diogo Dalot 6 - Usually extremely advanced, yet he was also the man to clear Omonia’s first-half attack on 33 minutes. Superb in setting up a 77th-minute attack. Reuters -
Victor Lindelof 6 - In for the injured Varane. Passes accurately, but not as involved as Martinez. Gap between him and Dalot exploited for Omonia’s second. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez 7 - Headed over on 16. Body-checked Omonia’s Bruno before half-time. When he loses the ball or a challenge, he gives everything to win it back. Didn’t look assured at times, yet at others played Carrick-style balls forward through the Omonia lines. More touches than any player on the pitch. Booked. AFP -
Tyrell Malacia 5 - Very advanced as United dominated possession, but he was the last man when he lost the ball and three Omonia players attacked and scored. Brought off at half-time for the second time in a bad week for him. AFP -
Casemiro 7 - Won every aerial ball – all eight of them. Back-heeled to Ronaldo on 12. Chased the move before Omonia’s goal, but didn’t chase hard enough. Nutmegged on 45. Easing his way in. AFP -
Christian Eriksen 7 - Shot into a crowd of players after United went behind when a pass would have been better. Tried, in vain, to get back for the opening goal, which he’d contributed to conceding. Poor touch in 48th minute when ball came to him in box. Shot wide from distance on 54. Made five key passes, more than any other player. EPA -
Jadon Sancho 5 - Silly pass back to Malacia who was under pressure – and made a mistake which led to opening goal. Taken off at half-time and he could hardly complain about it. EPA -
Antony 5 - Wrong decision on 17 when he passed towards Bruno rather than shot on goal with only the keeper to beat, then set up Bruno a minute later. Saw his curled shot saved on 26. Beat Lecjaks twice on 34 but needs to do more. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes 6 - Hit the crossbar on 18. Took a 52nd-minute free-kick, beat the wall but not the goalkeeper, then he set Rashford up for the equaliser two minutes later. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo 6 - Shot on goal after nine minutes and a super turn to set himself up five minutes later. Jeered by a partisan crowd when he hit a free-kick over on 25 and selflessly played a ball across goal on 32. Hit the post on 78, then involved in late attacks and shot wide on 93, but couldn’t get his first goal from open play this season against possibly the weakest side United will play. Reuters -
SUBS: Marcus Rashford 9 - On for Sancho at half-time and struck a shot over within a minute. Ball over from Bruno, cut inside and bang, a 52nd-minute equaliser. Flicked a ball beautifully to set up Martial for the second and set up Shaw after 75. Scored the third on 84, a tap in. On it. AFP -
Luke Shaw 6 - On for Malacia at half-time. Booked. Better than Malacia who he must surely push for a position to get back in the team. -
Anthony Martial 8 - On for Fernandes on 61. Put United ahead after 63, finding the bottom left corner with an accurate strike. Beautiful control to set up Ronaldo on 82 – and then Ronaldo, selflessly, on 90 and again on 91. Sharp. AFP -
Fred 6 - On for Antony after 73. Fierce shot from outside the box on 88. Reuters -
Scott McTominay NA - On for Casemiro after 82. Getty
Thursday also gave Martial more valuable minutes after an injury-interrupted start to the season.
"We want to do it really careful because he [Martial] had a good pre-season ... I cannot force it. I have to do it with a plan. That is what we're trying to do.
"I'm happy with his performance, all the subs had a really good impact."
United return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Goodison Park to face a resurgent Everton.
Last week's Manchester mauling halted a four-match win streak for United but Ten Hag said he will continue to back his players.
"That's a balance; I will give players trust, I will back them when they are in worse shape," he added.
"When they work hard, when they give their best in training sessions, when they take responsibility on the pitch, I will back them.
"But we are also united and our ambitions are really high, so you have to deliver and every player in the squad has to take that responsibility individually and they have to do it in a team culture. That is the demand from us, from the coaches to the players.
"Also I expect my players are brave on the pitch."
Manchester derby ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson 7: Very much a spectator in first half as City gave their rivals a masterclass in all areas of the pitch. No chance with wonderful Antony finish or Martial penalty. Saved well from Fred only for Martial to head home rebound. Reuters -
Kyle Walker 7: Miscued low Fernandes ball in 15th minute that ended with half-chance falling to Eriksen but had few other problems against hapless United. Limped off before half-time on what was his 400th league appearance. Getty -
Nathan Ake 8: In for the injured Stones and gave a near faultless performance for City who were without their first-choice centre-halves. PA -
Manuel Akanji 8: Swiss defender oozes confidence, timed his challenges perfectly and not afraid to carry the ball out from the back. Reuters -
Joao Cancelo 8: Slipped in low pass to Silva down wing who then set up opening goal. Switched to right flank when Walker went off injured but looked equally comfortable until giving away late penalty after City had taken foot off peddle. Reuters -
Ilkay Gundogan 8: Clipped free-kick in 18th minute against outside of post with De Gea beaten. The fulcrum in midfield who rarely wastes a pass. Getty -
Kevin De Bruyne 9: Saw shot well saved as City threatened in opening few minutes, dragged another chance well wide and then saw De Gea fingertip shot from edge of box over. Assisted first two Haaland goals as City swamped United in first half. EPA -
Bernardo Silva 8: His drilled low ball into box was finished by Foden to put City in front and set-up another chance for same player who should have scored again soon after. Helped City destroy United with wave after wave of attacks. Getty -
Phil Foden 9.5: Confident first-time side-footed finish to put City into an eighth-minute lead but then blazed another chance over bar. Grabbed his second just before break after perfect Haaland ball across box. Became second City player to score hat-trick in game with goal in 73rd minute. AFP -
Jack Grealish 8: Up for it from first whistle and his run down the left tempted Dalot into early foul and yellow card. Had goal-bound shot blocked after cutting back on to right foot in first half. Reaction after being taken off in second half suggested he wanted a goal. EPA -
Erling Haaland 10: Three home hat-tricks in a row. Rose highest to head City two up from De Bruyne corner. Scored again three minutes later when he slid home to finish superb pass from Belgian teammate. Calm side-footed finish to complete latest treble. Brilliant ball himself for Foden‘s second and supplied same player’s third. Incredible. PA -
SUBS: Sergio Gomez (On for Walker 41’) 7: Early introduction for Spaniard due to Walker’s injury. Excellent ball into box to set-up Haaland’s third. -
Riyad Mahrez (On for Foden 75’) 6: No chance to make impact. Reuters -
Aymeric Laporte (On for Gundogan 75’) 6: Headed corner wide of target, beaten to ball by Martial for United’s second. Getty Julian Alvarez (On for De Bruyne 75’) 6 Could have made it seven but first touch let him down. Cole Palmer (On for Grealish 75’) 6: Part of quadruple substitution that took steam out of City. -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea 4: Tested from close range after two minutes. And it never stopped in an unrelenting first half where City became the second team this season to put four past United in opening 45 minutes. Getty -
Diogo Dalot 3: Second minute booking for a challenge on Grealish. Opening goal came from his side. Headed a dangerous cross away soon after. EPA -
Lisandro Martinez 5: Struggled to stem the flow of relentless City attacks. Struggled against Haaland and his ability to find space – as well as his other qualities. Best defender, although the bar was low. Getty -
Raphael Varane 4: Tracked Haaland early on but poor for the goal. Went down injured in first half and City played on as he lay on the floor. De Bruyne’s pass went past him for the third in an awful first half. Off after 40 as United melted. AFP -
Tyrell Malacia 2: Booked for a 23rd minute tackle on Foden in challenging start. Flicked ball over Foden in a lovely move. Tried to block Haaland’s header but ball went over line. The ball for City’s fourth went beyond him. Dreadful and brought off at half time. AFP -
Scott McTominay 3: Double block in a second minute City attack. City were happy to let him get forward, not that he managed to hurt them. Teams have to be quick on transitions against City. United were not. Reuters -
Christian Eriksen 4: Nullified by City – who clearly saw him as United’s main threat. He was no threat in this Manchester derby. The whole team were not brave enough in possession. Reuters -
Bruno Fernandes 3: Frustrated – like everyone in red. But one of five attacking players chosen to play away – a gamble which failed badly. His link up with those behind him was non existent and you could say the same for the whole team. EPA -
Jadon Sancho 2: Opening goal started from him losing possession. Bought to make a difference to United – like his former teammate Haaland was for City. Sancho made none here. Getty -
Antony 4: Barely involved as City dominated early on. Stunning goal – the best of the match – with a curling shot from distance. Skewed a shot wide with 20 minutes to go. EPA -
Marcus Rashford 2: Nothing in the first half. Came off before the hour. EPA -
SUBS: Victor Lindelof (On for Varane 40’) 4: The damage had long been done – and the manager was at fault for his tactics as much as any player. Reuters -
Luke Shaw (On for Malacia 46’) 5: Played Foden onside for City’s sixth. Played well for England midweek and he improved United when he came on. AP -
Casemiro (On for McTominay 59’) 5: Might have been better to start him alongside McTominay. United were better with him, but what achievement is playing well when the team are 6-1 down. Needs to get off the bench, in the team and be the world class influence he can be. Getty -
Anthony Martial (On for Rashford 59’) 8: Scored twice, the first a brave header, the second a cool penalty. What more could he have done? The only positive thing about the day was that United scored three times. PA -
Fred (On for Sancho 70’) 6: His shot was saved by Ederson which resulted in United’s second. Showed a spirit that had been lacking. AP
Ten Hag has injury concerns over defender Raphael Varane, who was taken off with an ankle injury during the Manchester derby demolition, while fellow defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are not in contention.
The United manager also provided an update on Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek, who continues his recovery from a muscle injury, saying: "He's now back on the training grass, so he's outside doing his work but still individual, he's not returning to team training, so we have to wait for that moment."
