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Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag reviews Sheriff win
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has started to get some momentum at Old Trafford. Thursday night’s 3-0 win over Sheriff means the Red Devils have now gone seven games unbeaten across all competitions, while they’re also through to the knockout stages of the Europa League. And it was clear during the match that Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford are all significantly improved from the Ralf Rangnick era.
Manchester United had to be patient against Sheriff, who produced some dogged defending during the early stages of the contest.
But, after Dalot opened the scoring, it ended up being a straightforward night for the Red Devils.
Rashford doubled United’s advantage after the interval in the 65th minute, heading home after a pinpoint cross from Shaw.
And Cristiano Ronaldo added gloss to his side’s victory late on, with the Portugal international netting his third goal this season in the process.
It was a positive night for the Red Devils. And Ten Hag, it seems, has managed to improve Dalot, Shaw and Rashford in just a few months following his appointment…
Man Utd appointed Erik ten Hag as Ralf Rangnick's successor back in the summer (Image: GETTY)
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But the United star is scaling new heights under Ten Hag and it’s clear the right-back slot is now his to lose, despite Aaron Wan-Bissaka stepping up his return from injury.
Dalot’s stats make him the best right-back in the Premier League this term, with the former Porto star growing in stature with each passing game.
He’s become undroppable under Ten Hag at Old Trafford and there’s not a single sense Wan-Bissaka will be able to get into the team ahead of him at present.
United want a new right-back in January but, if one arrives, they’re likely to compete with Dalot for a starting berth - rather than walk straight into the team at his expense.
United brought on Shaw for Dalot, with Tyrell Malacia starting the match at left-back.
And though the England international wasn’t on the pitch for that long, it’s clear his confidence is coming back.
Shaw lost his place in the team to Alex Telles towards the end of last season, with Rangnick trusting the Sevilla loan star far more.
Yet it’s clear Shaw’s dip in form was only temporary, and class is permanent.
The United star has now produced assists in back to back matches and, with the World Cup in Qatar creeping closer, is returning to form just at the right time.
Man Utd star Diogo Dalot was excellent again in Sheriff win (Image: GETTY)
Marcus Rashford
Yes, Marcus Rashford should score more. Certainly, his shooting requires more improvement because he spurns far too many opportunities.
But the England international is enjoying his football again and looks far more deadlier than he did at any point under Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last term.
Rashford now has six goals to his name this term, meaning he’s on track to clock up his best-ever seasonal statistics.
United still require a No 9.
But Rashford deserves to start week in week out and is clearly the club’s best attacker at the current moment in time.
Man Utd duo Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are going from strength to strength under Erik ten Hag (Image: GETTY)
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Ten Hag reacts to Sheriff win
Speaking after United beat Sheriff, meanwhile, Ten Hag praised his team for getting the job done.
"You want always more and I think we scored three goals, but I think we should have won with at least 5-0,” he said.
“But I think, in the end, there were a lot of positives in this game.
“The clean sheet, we didn’t concede counters, so we attacked well, were organised, they couldn’t get out.
“So the counter-press was really good and we created a lot against a real compact opponent and, what I said, we scored three – we should have scored even more but there was a threat, we created and that’s good.”
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