Erik ten Hag takes pride in Manchester United resurgence… but dodges title talk

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are ‘growing in belief’ after Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth but insists it is too early to think about a Premier League title challenge.

Marcus Rashford scored for the fourth successive game to add to earlier strikes from Casemiro and Luke Shaw as United made it four league wins in a row, and 13 of the last 16 in all competitions.

The victory leaves United fourth, a point behind rivals Manchester City, who travel to Chelsea on Thursday before their next league appointment comes in the derby at Old Trafford on January 14.

Erik ten Hag’s side beat Bournemouth 3-0 to leave themselves just one point behind Manchester City

United’s recent form is a match for almost anyone, but Ten Hag tried to remove a question about the title race.

‘That’s a big step,’ he said. ‘We have to go game by game, get the progress.

‘The belief is growing and that’s a good sign, it’s good to have that feeling but we have to understand and be able to give 100 per cent in every game – 100 per cent energy, 100 per cent focus, 100 per cent playing as a team.

Manchester United made it nine wins out of ten in all competitions on Tuesday night against Bournemouth

‘If you keep that philosophy it’s possible but we have to go game by game and not think too far ahead. It’s now January so we’re talking about less than half a season.’

United secured a comfortable win despite occasionally hitting top gear, with Casemiro’s goal the only shot on target in the first half.

Shaw created and finished the second, bursting from his own half, moving the ball to the right and applying the finish when Alejandro Garnacho rolled in a low cross.

David De Gea then made saves to deny Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony before Rashford finished things off in the 86th minute.

Ten Hag – who will wait until Wednesday for more information on the possible serious injury to Donny van de Beek – said it was far from a perfect performance and warned his team they need to play smarter in the future.

Ten Hag spoke of the progress his side had made – but dismissed any premature title talk

‘I think we have two top departments, attack and defence, and a big gap in between, and that costs us a lot of energy,’ he said. ‘We got into a tennis match and we didn’t want to play tennis, we wanted to play football.

‘We want to keep the ball, keep possession, recognize when to accelerate and go for the goal, but it costs us too much energy. The backline took a lot of risks and when it was difficult to come back we stretched.

‘This is the next step we have to take and we are still in the process.’

Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil called Saturday’s performance in the 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace the worst of his tenure, but was happier with the display at Old Trafford despite the final score.

‘I thought it was very good,’ he said. 3-0 is difficult for us. We had some big opportunities. Their first goal was disappointing as we stopped them and didn’t really feel threatened at 0-0.

Gary O’Neil said he was happy with his team’s performance and the scoreline did not reflect the game itself

‘The boys got out-of-possession shape and we broke a few times so it was difficult for them to concede from a wide free-kick when we were well into the game, we didn’t deserve it .

‘After half-time we tried to be more aggressive with the press more often but we fell behind and it was 2-0. It was a tough ask from that moment but the response was great and we had six big chances with David De Gea making a big save.

‘Most of United’s chances came when we opened the pitch up so there was a lot to be happy about.’