Manchester United - BBC Sport (2023)

Erik ten Hag says now is not the time to cast final judgment on Donny van de Beek’s Manchester United career and has praised the midfielder’s recent displays.

The 25-year-old, who joined United from Ajax for £35m in 2020, shot to prominence while playing under Ten Hag for the Dutch giants.

Injuries have hampered his involvement this season but he played 58 minutes in Thursday’s 1-0 win against Real Sociedad and around 11 minutes against FC Sheriff last week.

Asked if a time may come where United have to accept Van de Beek hasn’t worked as a signing, Ten Hag said: "Yes. Not now. I think he had quite a good pre-season. He was injured, now back. Last week I think he played very well and today I think it was a decent performance.

"I know he can do better as I know him very well. He acted and delivered what I expect in terms of positioning, pressing, transition and accuracy. I think he can be more threat to an opponents’ goal, his biggest quality.

“In the time I am here, he is performing well in the game time we gave him.”

Ten Hag said he was waiting on medical updates on forwards Antony, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho for Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa, where Bruno Fernandes will be suspended.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, speaking to BT Sport: "You do not always get what you deserve. We won and I am happy with that and some other things like the performance of Alejandro Garnacho, and Donny van de Beek is back in the team.

"Of course, we are disappointed we didn't score two goals."

On AlejandroGarnacho:"We had problems there. Antony was out and Jadon Sancho was not available. I really hope he can keep the process going. He was a threat. If he can keep this going, I am really happy.

"It was a great finish, it was a great attack. It was really enjoyable."

On his substitutes and changes:"The aim was to bring extra offensive players in. At that moment, we were too erratic. The last 10 minutes we got the ball in the box and created a good chance. We had to take risks."

Did you know? Ten Hag has now gone unbeaten in his last 10 away games in European competition (W8 D2), including wins in all three of his games as Manchester United manager.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport

On a wet night in the Basque Country, Alejandro Garnacho became Manchester United's youngest non-English scorer in Europe at the age of 18 years 125 days.

Four weeks ago, the Argentina youth international scored a late winner for United's under-21s in the EFL Trophy at Barrow, and last Thursdaymade his full debutin the 3-0 Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford.

In San Sebastian, Garnacho showed what a talent he is with a composed 17th-minute finish from inside the box after receiving Cristiano Ronaldo's well-timed pass outside the penalty area.

Manager Erik ten Hag praised Garnacho's "great finish" a week after revealinghe had been irkedby the teenager's attitude earlier in the season - a situation Bruno Fernandes expanded on in Spain.

"He is still only young but he is doing very well," said Fernandes after the game.

"At the beginning of the season, he was not at his best. He didn't have the best attitude that he should have on tour. But he is deserving of his chances now."

Aston Villa: Richard Sutherland, The Villa Park podcast, external

Two similar players, both leaders, both whole-hearted but both guilty of mistakes that often lead to goals.

Their character and presence mean they are never far away from headlines, courting praise and controversy in equal measure, not least with regards to captaincy.

Maguire through injury and loss of form has been out of favour, and Mings had the captaincy stripped, ultimately one of the circles that Steven Gerrard couldn't square before his inevitable sacking.

Maguire has had to watch from the sidelines as his team continue to develop under Eric ten Hag and faces a real battle to get into the side, putting his place in the England XI in jeopardy.

For Mings, though, his form has remained consistent and supporters have been grateful to him as a constant in a drastically under-performing Aston Villa side.

For me, that puts Mings just ahead in the pecking order.

Manchester United: Sam Peoples, United Peoples TV, external

Not exactly a question Aston Villa or Manchester United fans are going to jump at in defence of their player, is it?

Maguire returned in our win at the weekend and in the first half looked exactly like the Maguire we didn't miss for one second - over-committing high up the pitch and leaving space in behind for West Ham to expose on too many occasions.

But in the second half, with West Ham bearing down on our goal, he was markedly improved. Fair play to him - he did well.

Nobody is really choosing Mings, are they? He has been a disaster this season - as have Villa.

While Maguire has his flaws, and plenty of them, if he can rediscover his Euro 2020 form then there really isn't an argument to be had here.

For the rest of this week's debates, check out the full piece here

Erik ten Hag has labelled summer arrival Casemiro the "cement" in his team and said he has been impressed the Brazilian's application.

Manchester United are yet to lose a match in which Casemiro has started since he was recalled to the starting XI against Omonia Nicosia last month.

"I said it the other day, for me he is the cement between the stones in and out of possession," Ten Hag said.

"You see him growing game to game with that. Also our team is growing so we are really happy with the progress but we have to keep that process going because we are not satisfied.

"We have to approach it like good is not good enough. Tomorrow we have another challenge and chance to do it better."

United face Real Sociedad in a key Europa League group decider on Thursday.

When pressed as to why Casemiro has adapted so well, Ten Hag highlighted his first conversation with the midfielder.

"He told me when we had the first talk that he needs a new challenge because in Real Madrid he won everything," Ten Hag said.

"He was a big part of Real Madrid still, they did not want him to go.

"But he had a feeling, he told me that 'I have to go to another club, to another league, to prove myself' and that shows his hunger.

"I really liked that from the first day on, he has been coming with that attitude to every training, to every match and he proves it. I really like that and he will be more and more important to our team."

Casemiro says Erik ten Hag's "obsession to win" is something he has "only seen in few managers".

The Brazilian midfielder arrived at Manchester United from Real Madrid in the summer and while he did not start right away, he has become a key member of Ten Hag's side and was full of praise for his new boss.

"After being in football for a quite a while, the obsession for winning is what surprised me the most," he said.

"I think he has got many strengths and we all know it's a process and we are growing together.

"He wans to win but his obsession for teaching and leaving everything perfect to the millimetre is key."

When asked about the World Cup Casemiro made it clear his focus is on Manchester United and Thursday's fixture at Real Sociedad.

He added: "Tomorrow's game is too important to think about the World Cup and any player who thinks like that picks up an injury.

"That is not my profile at all. All I think about is playing the best possible game tomorrow."

Alex Turk,Stretford Paddock, external

Marcus Rashford continued his welcome resurgence by scoring his 100th Manchester United goal in Sunday's victory over West Ham

After spending last season battling off-field issues that translated into agonising struggles on the pitch, his seventh goal of the new campaign indicated he could be back better than ever.

One of Europe's most dangerous attacking threats when operating in the left-central channel, Rashford is now adding headers to his game.

Last Thursday, the 25-year-old arrived off the bench against Sheriff Tiraspol to powerfully connect with Luke Shaw's cross and head United into a 2-0 lead.

At the weekend, it was more of the same. It was no contest against Thilo Kehrer in the air, cannoning Christian Eriksen's sumptuous delivery past Lukas Fabianski for the only goal.

Before the Sheriff game, Rashford hadn't scored a header since a 4-1 win over Newcastle in December 2019. In fact, of his 98 career goals before the Moldovans came to town, he had netted only five with his head.

If United's number 10 can become a consistent threat in the air, the Rashford of old will be a distant memory - but the new one could be better.