Ten Hag: ‘Belief’ the key factor in United’s first away win against a top-six side

United weathered several long, sustained spells of Villa pressure during the 90-plus minutes, and Ten Hag admitted that his side still have to learn how to improve at preserving leads like the one given to us by Rasmus Hojlund’s first-half finish.

“We could have done more [like we had done when] we pressed in the first 20 minutes,” lamented the boss. “And by making better decisions on the ball. 

“We went, in every situation, for goal, instead of keeping the ball. We were 1-0 up, and when you can’t go for goal, recognise the situation and then make decisions [to] keep the ball and attract them out, then find the right moment to speed up. That can be in the early moments, but not always. Clever players, they read the game.”