Erik ten Hag explains what he told Manchester United players at half-time against Wolves

Manchester United have rounded off 2022 with a victory away against Wolverhampton Wonderers in the Premier League, with Erik ten Hag saying he was “not happy” at half-time.

Although the fixture ended with Marcus Rashford the sole goal scorer, impacting off the bench to score his 11th goal of the season, the first half was flat and unencouraging for fans of Manchester United.

Wolves had a handful of decent chances and looked very threatening during the opening 45 minutes, and Erik ten Hag recognised this.

“We were not that good in the first half,” Ten Hag told BT Sport at full-time. “In my opinion the second half was better. Fred was winning second balls and linking play when he came on.”

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“In the first half, you analyse the game but sometimes things do not work as expected. Wolves did not create many chances and we did but you have to be sharp.”

The Dutchman then went on to explain what he told the players at half-time, saying it was their attitude that he criticized while in the dressing room.

“I was not happy at half time and I told them with this attitude they will not win this game and everyone had to give 10% more.”

Anther talking point of the game was Luke Shaw, who played at centre-half for the second game in a row, keeping a second clean sheet in a row alongside Raphael Varane.

“With him being left footed, that helps him playing on the left side,” said Ten Hag on why Shaw was deployed there. “Wolves have speed on the wings and Luke Shaw can cover that.”