Manchester United may have cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Tuesday, but manager Erik ten Hag wasn’t pleased with his side’s performance.
Casemiro gave the hosts a first-half lead before Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford added to the advantage after the restart, as United strengthened their place in the top-four. They are now five points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham.
“I’m happy with the result,” Ten Hag said, per BBC Sport.
“Today it was not our best game. We have to be honest, we didn’t play that smart as a team.
“We made great goals, but at times we were quite lucky, and some great saves from David [de Gea]. We could have been smarter as a team.”
Phillip Billing and Jaidon Anthony both went close for the Cherries, as they refused to go away, both forcing De Gea into quick-fire saves to preserve United’s two-goal buffer.
“There were big spaces at 2-0 up, sometimes we have to keep the ball and recognise when to go for goal,” Ten Hag continued.
“That is the next step. It is always good to win 3-0. It was a great performance for the crowd, with scoring opportunities for both goals. To win 3-0 is always good.”
Manchester United now turn their attention to a home match against Everton in the FA Cup on Friday.
“We have to go from game-to-game,” the United boss added.
“The next game is a cup one, but we want to win every game. That has to be the approach. We don’t want to look any further, focus on that, it will be a tough game.
“We need every energy in the preparation and when we kick off on Friday night.”
