With his team two goals down and their supporters mutinous, Ten Hag’s words not only proved decisive to his team in their eventual thrilling victory, but were extra pertinent to Rasmus Hojlund as he scored the winner.
There was added significance to this success because they did it in front of Sir Dave Brailsford – the Ineos head of sport who, along with former Juventus chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc, will take up a seat on the football club board when Ratcliffe’s purchase is confirmed in six-to-eight weeks’ time.
“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask them,” said Ten Hag, when asked what Brailsford and his colleagues thought of the performance.
“I said before the game that we were competitive with Arsenal and competitive with Liverpool so if we play our best we can beat anyone.”
Aston Villa took the lead early in the first half through a John Mcginn goal in the 21st minute. It only took 5 minutes for Aston Villa to double their lead through a Leander Dendocker’s first premier league goal in his first ever start.
Things looked like it wouldn’t get better for Manchester United as they trail with two goals at half time in a boxing day match they haven’t lost in 30 years.
Second half started with Manchester United been clinical in the third quarter of the pitch. Alejandro Garnacho started the comeback with his brace in the second half.
Hojlund hustled all game but it later proved worthy after he pounced on a loose ball in the center of Aston Villa penalty area to slot in a third for Manchester United in what proved to be a match winner for them.
