Ten Hag pays tribute to Bobby Charlton after 2-1 win over Sheffield United

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Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag pays tribute to Bobby Charlton, who passed away at the age of 86 after their 2-1 win over Sheffield United

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00:00 The news about Sir Bobby Charlton was winning, and winning with a goal like that,

00:06 a fitting way to mark the passing of one of Manchester United's most famous players?

00:12 Yeah, we are happy we did that.

00:15 And as you said, yeah, we have to pay country attention and do it in a good way.

00:24 And the first half, I think it wasn't the standard from Sir Bobby Charlton,

00:30 but the second half was a bit better.

00:32 But, yeah, of course, the news arrived and we are very sad,

00:37 and our thoughts are with his family, especially his wife, Lady Norma,

00:43 with his children, with his grandchildren.

00:45 I think, yeah, with his passing, a legend, a giant passing away,

00:52 his achievements are so immense and huge.

00:58 Global, it's not only England, I think, global.

01:01 If you see the facts, he achieved, it's incredible.

01:06 All his games, his titles, trophies, the contribution he had with his goals.

01:12 And then what I heard, I had never had the honour to meet him,

01:16 but what I heard, despite all his trophies and games,

01:23 he was so humble and so big personality.

01:26 I think he's an example for all of us as a footballer,

01:30 but also in the society and global-wide.

01:33 I realise you had a football game to play,

01:38 but when you found out, when the squad found out,

01:42 did it have any effect on your preparation?

01:46 I heard some players got inspiration from it,

01:50 they wanted a win to mark it.

01:55 So, yeah, it was an extra motivation, absolutely.

02:00 How do you view the performance as a whole,

02:03 and what changes did you make in the second half to actually get that win?

02:06 It was a bit of a grind at times.

02:09 First half was not a good game, our sides.

02:14 We can talk long, we can talk short, no?

02:17 It was a poor game, our sides.

02:21 You see it often after the international,

02:23 but especially with us, with so many changes every time in line-ups,

02:27 then the routines are not there.

02:29 But especially tonight in the first half,

02:32 we allowed them to make it their game.

02:37 We were too opportune, too direct.

02:41 No good, no good organisation.

02:45 Second half, we made some changes in half-time,

02:51 and you saw we got better constructions,

02:55 we were more composed, we kept the ball,

02:58 and not so direct, we made switches,

03:01 we took control of the game from this point of view,

03:05 we created chances, and I think finally it's also deserved that you get a win.

03:10 I think it was a beautiful goal.

03:12 Jürgen, I just wondered if your reflections on his performance

03:16 got applauded by both sets of fans,

03:18 and also there was a moment in the first half where it seemed like

03:21 him and Jonny Evans both complained with him going up top.

03:23 I just wondered if that was a deliberate tactic?

03:25 No, as I said, we had some constructions in the first half,

03:29 and we want to play very dynamically.

03:33 That is our aim, but I think in the first half we were overreacting

03:37 on that fact, and that was over the top.

03:43 So we corrected that during half-time, and then you saw more control.

03:48 But I have to say to Harry, Jonny as well,

03:51 but Harry, he's playing like we want him to play.

03:55 Very proactive, out of possession,

03:59 dominating his opponent, stepping in when necessary,

04:03 reading the game, good covering,

04:06 but also in possession, very proactive,

04:08 stepping in, delivering good passing,

04:11 vertical passing, so good switches.

04:15 I'm happy with his performance.

04:17 With Hoyland, are you still managing his injury?

04:24 Can he play through the whole game yet?

04:27 Do you think if that does get better,

04:30 his confidence will get better as well?

04:33 You see, he plays often whole games,

04:38 but the idea behind it is, yeah, we have to manage his game minutes.

04:43 But also, there's also internal competition,

04:48 and to give all the opportunity,

04:50 but definitely we have to manage his game minutes,

04:54 and coming up, many games.

04:57 We are now in October, but until the end of the season,

05:01 so many games, and we need everyone on board,

05:05 and we need everyone sharp, to keep him sharp.

05:08 And if I see the programme for the coming weeks,

05:11 we have to swap during games, between games,

05:16 otherwise we don't keep the energy,

05:18 and we don't keep the focus in the team,

05:20 and we don't get them so fresh for every game.

05:24 And also, you want to do something with subs,

05:27 to bring new energy in the team,

05:32 and also from a technical approach, you want to do something.

05:36 OK, we'll leave it there. Thank you.

05:37 Thank you.

05:38 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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