Erik ten Hag has revealed his half-time team talk was all about instilling belief in his players as they mounted a famous comeback to beat Barcelona in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Dutch coach experienced his finest hours in the United dugout to date as he watched his team overturn a one-goal deficit to book their place in the last 16 in front of a euphoric Old Trafford crowd.
It was quite the turnaround by the Red Devils, who also fought back from a goal down in the first leg to earn a 2-2 draw. Robert Lewandowski's penalty had given Barcelona the advantage when the teams went in at the break in the second leg, prompting some words of encouragement from Ten Hag to his United players, who he demanded use Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka more.
"I emphasised the belief," Ten Hag said in his post-match press conference. "It was too flat first half. We had our spare man, Casemiro we didn't use enough.
"Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a lot of space on the right side, we didn't use enough. I think in the pressing we could be more brave. So that is what we emphasised.
"The second was to make the sub with Antony who brought more speed in the play and who brings belief on the pitch."
Antony's introduction was an inspired substitution, as the Brazilian later went on to score the winner after Fred had levelled just two minutes after the restart.
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Goalscorer Fred admitted Ten Hag's comments at half-time had a profound impact, telling BT Sport: "He [Ten Hag] said in the first half that we didn't play like how we [normally] play.
"But in the second half we were much better, we started very well and scored early. We had a good talk in half-time with the coach, we changed our minds at half-time and the second half went very well."
Ten Hag has received plenty of plaudits for the way he masterminded United's comeback and now looks to have the full backing of the club's supporters, who were overjoyed with their latest triumph as they continue to fight for silverware on four fronts.
Speaking after the game, the Dutchman said: "It was a magnificent night against a team who are the leaders of LaLiga. I want to take this result with us in building belief.
"I know what Antony can do. He is brave and fearless. What he brought in the second half was what we needed. He dribbled, he scored. He will go for it and when he gets the opportunity. He will strike.
"Fred has an important role. He had to first stop Frenkie de Jong playing like a mosquito around him and behind him. He did it magnificently in the first leg as well and tonight he scored a goal. It was brilliant."
United have now been handed a last 16 tie with another Spanish club in the next round as they are set to face Real Betis - managed by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
