Eric ten Hag wants to focus on building a better Manchester United than talking about a Premier League title challenge.
United are five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, although they played a game more after beating Leicester City 3-0 on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford scored twice for United to take his season tally to a career-best 24 goals to give the Red Devils control in a game in which David de Gea twice kept Leicester out of the lead with great first-half saves .
Jadon Sancho came off the bench in the second half to score points, sending United into a huge week at their peak.
Ten Hag’s men will play Barcelona in the second leg of the Europa League play-off on Thursday, going 2-2 in the first leg, before playing Newcastle United three days later in the EFL Cup final at Wembley.
United are still hunting on four fronts, but Ten Hag is oblivious to discussions of promotion to the Premier League.
“We don’t think about it, we think about tomorrow, we must become the best version of ourselves, and this is what we must work for,” Ten Hag told the BBC.
“We’re in February, don’t look too far ahead.”
45 – In Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Leicester, there were 45 shots (26 Manchester United, 19 Leicester), the most in a single Premier League game since Manchester United against ” Burnley” in October 2016 (also 45). peppered. pic.twitter.com/iAQLw4YC8U
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 19, 2023
While Rashford starred, Bruno Fernandes was an excellent supporting actor, registering seven key assists and two assists in a game that saw 45 shots, the most in the Premier League since United’s clash with Burnley. » in October 2016 (also 45).
Leicester are a great team, they played very well and it was very difficult for us,” added Ten Hag. “It was also our fault, we did not follow the rules and principles of the game because of our style of play, and then you are punished.
“We were lucky, and only because of David de Gea we do not concede. Great saves, we weren’t disciplined and that’s not right.
“We came at halftime and said it. We were leading 1-0, we also knew how to beat them because there was a lot of space in midfield and behind their defensive line. it was good [opening] a goal, another great pass from Bruno, a great goal from Rashi, and then the score was 1-0. We were all in the second half and Bruno Fernandes played a great game.
“The team puts Rashford in the right positions, especially Bruno, he creates a lot of passes, comes from behind, shoots. Not only Bruno, but I think he does a great job.
“We need all the players in shape but we have to follow the principles of our style of play and if we do that we can play very well and we saw that in the second half.”
