Izuchukwu OkosiManchester United manager Erik ten Hag was pleased to take all three points from the away trip to Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League Thursday evening but insists his side must cut off costly mistakes going forward.
The Reds dominated in the game early in the matchday three contest in Cyprus and went behind to the hosts after an error in the middle of the park.
United were able to rally to turn the game on its head however, and eventually triumph 3-2, thanks to second-half goals from substitutes Marcus Rashford (2) and Anthony Martial, prior to a late consolation from the home side.
The former Ajax boss spoke to look the media in the match post match press conference as quoted by the club’s website.
“A good start to the game. The first 30 minutes were really well done, a couple of chances against a compact team is not that easy,” Erik ten Hag said of the first half performance of his team.
“But then we make a mistake and then for 10 minutes, we were really bad. That cannot happen, we have to take responsibility by, first, not giving goals in such a manner away, and then by dealing with it, staying composed, sticking to the plan and keeping in position.”
Erik ten Hag gushed about the impact of his substitutes in the game.
“Yes [it’s pleasing]. First of all, we need more movement, runs in behind, that was the first thing and then the subs had an impact on the score.
I’m really happy for Marcus and Anthony that they came in, also Luke [Shaw] I have to say, and had an impact on the game. The tempo kept high, there was more movement and much more ability to make an effect on the goal.”
On Anthony Martial’s return from injury, the Dutch tactician said he has to be eased back with caution.
“I want to do it really careful because he had a good pre-season and then the last 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid he fell out [injured] and then he returned against Liverpool, and so another injury from far back. I cannot force it.
“I have to do it with a plan and I’m trying to do it at the moment but it’s quite clear I’m happy with his performance. All the subs had a really good impact and that’s what I expect from players on the bench. You’re not playing with XI, we can sub five so every sub has to be ready. Tonight, was the best example you can get.”
On Cristiano Ronaldo’s contributions to the victory, the coach appreciated the efforts of the iconic forward.
“I think the first two [shots he had produced] good saves from the goalie. He had a couple of chances, also he created a couple of chances. He was in for a good move and run for the first goal with Marcus Rashford, so he had an impact in this game.”
The Reds had dominated proceedings early in the matchday three contest in Cyprus but conceded the lead to the hosts after an error in the middle of the park.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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