'They don't give up': Erik ten Hag pleased Manchester United showed will to win

United had 34 shots against Europa League opponents Omonia Nicosia but were unable to break the deadlock until McTominay scored in the 93rd minute.

Manchester United's Scott McTominay after scoring the only goal in the 1-0 Europa League win against Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford on October 13, 2022. Getty

Scott McTominay scores the winning goal in stoppage time. EPA

McTominay celebrates with Marcus Rashford. PA

United manager Erik ten Hag acknowledges the fans after the final whistle. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo is frustrated. Reuters

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters

Ronaldo after a missed chance. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts against Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford. Getty

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo shoots at goal. Reuters

Erik ten Hag said he was concerned by Manchester United's profligacy in front of goal but praised his players' self-belief in securing a late win over Europa League minnows Omonia Nicosia on Thursday.

United had 34 shots and dominated possession in the Group E encounter but were unable to break the deadlock until substitute Scott McTominay scored in the 93rd minute.

"I would say the performance till the box was good, but then the finishing of course was not that good. Let's hope that we have saved the goals for the coming week," Ten Hag told reporters.

He said his team have enough creativity to win matches but that some of his players just had an off-night in front of goal.

"What the good thing is, and I have to credit the team for that, they keep going and they don't give up," he added. "They keep believing [that they could] score and in the end, they got rewarded. And that is the way you have to do it.

"I had unluckily many more nights where you play well, you create chances but you don’t net. Football is about scoring goals and avoiding them."

Marcus Rashford had 10 of the hosts’ 32 shots on a night when Omonia goalkeeper Uzoho incredibly made 12 saves.

Fabiano impressed between the sticks last Thursday as the Cypriot side lost 3-2 at home to United, but a shoulder injury meant the Nigeria international started against the side he supports.

Man United ratings v Omonia

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 6 - Not the goalkeeper who’ll be talked about after this game. His side had 34 shots, Omonia had two. MUFC had 78% of possession and the Spaniard was a bystander for almost the whole match. Getty

Diogo Dalot 5 - More touches than any player. Set up Fernandes for one of his first-half shots, but he also played a poor ball which allowed a rare Omonia attack. Getty

Victor Lindelof 6 - Beaten for pace by Bruno in Omonia’s only first-half attack after 42 minutes and struggled with him, but otherwise fine. Reuters

Lisandro Martinez 7 - Accused of a foul by the 4,500 travelling fans after stopping Omonia’s solitary first-half attack. No worries with him. EPA

Tyrell Malacia 6 - Back in the side after two rough games saw him dropped. No errors like in the first leg and did little wrong. AFP

Casemiro 7 - Always asks for the ball, brings balance. Came closest to scoring in the first half, smashing a shot which was tipped off the crossbar. Headed wide on 45. Sprinted off to gentle applause on 80. United’s best player. EPA

Fred 6 - Alongside compatriot Casemiro as the holding midfielders, just as with the Brazil national team. Sprinted to take a shot on 47 in yet another United attack, but missed. Praised by his manager for his counter pressing. AFP

Antony 5 - One of the few players without a clear chance in the first half, he had a shot seconds after the restart which was saved by Uzoho, the Manchester United-supporting goalkeeper who said he’d had his greatest ever game. Wasted an opening two minutes later having been played in by Rashford. AFP

Bruno Fernandes 6 - His short corners gave United some of their best early openings, including a shot of his own on 10 minutes. The most creative player in the first half, he curled the ball wide, then held his head in his hands yet again after 78 minutes after hitting a shot so far over the bar he could’ve been playing rugby. Getty

Marcus Rashford 6 - Had 10 shots. Curled a second minute strike towards goal from a corner. It was tipped over in a bright start for United. One on one chance with goalkeeper saved on 22. PA

Cristiano Ronaldo 6 - Played with a smile. Well, at least until frustrations grew. Quick thinking won the ball back to set up Fernandes and then Rashford. Turned and shot wide on 31. Frustrating night for him, but he and his team never gave up. Getty

SUBS: Jadon Sancho 7 - On for Antony after 59. Cut a ball back towards Bruno – United’s 23rd attempt. Perseverance led to the goal, which he set up. Made good decisions. Getty

Luke Shaw 6 - On for Malacia after 59. Supported the players ahead of him, which is all he could do. EPA

Scott McTominay 7 - On for Casemiro on 80 and managed a decent strike on target within a minute. Managed another on 88 which went so far over it was comical. But then he did what had been needed all night turning in a Sancho cross to get the game’s only goal. Another game where a United substitute has scored. PA

Christian Eriksen 6 - On for Fred – to desperate applause – on 70. Hit balls into dangerous areas but the Cypriots’ defence soaked up all those threats. PA

Uzoho admitted it was the performance of his life and the delighted goalkeeper even asked for a photo with Ten Hag before United’s press conference.

“I said well done [to him],” the Dutchman said.

“He had many, many saves, so many clear goals were not in, so we kept them in the game.

“I would say the performance until the box was good but then the finishing was not that good tonight. Let’s hope that we save the goals for the coming week.”

Omnia boss Neil Lennon said of Uzoho: “He was outstanding. He was inspired and when you play a team with this calibre with a team of our calibre you need your goalkeeper to play well and he was just world-class tonight. I’m so happy for him."

Group leaders Real Sociedad have sealed their spot in the next round while United are six points ahead of Sheriff Tiraspol, with Omonia bottom after losing all four of their games.

United host Sheriff on October 27 before finishing their group campaign with a trip to Spain to face Real Sociedad on November 3.