Erik ten Hag was relieved to see his Manchester United players remember the required “standards” as they beat Brentford at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford’s first-half strike proved to be the only goal of the game, as United ended their three-match winless run and moved back into the Champions League places in the Premier League.
It came after an incredibly poor showing over the weekend against top-four rivals Newcastle, after which Ten Hag admitted that his side did not match the commitment levels of the Magpies.
However, the United boss was far more impressed with what he saw from his players against Brentford, and demanded that there is not another dip between now and the end of the season.
“The passion and desire that was missing on Sunday, we showed today,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.
“We forgot our standards but we have to return to that if you want to be successful in the final stages of the season.”
Rashford now has 28 goals in a United shirt this season, 20 of which have come since the World Cup.
Ten Hag has called on his other attacking options to also step up and help Rashford, including Anthony Martial who once again came off the bench against Brentford as he approaches full fitness.
“Very good but we can talk almost every game about it and when he is not in the game like on Sunday, it is no good for us,” Ten Hag said.
“We have to bring him in the game but also he has to take responsibility and also other players. So I was really happy with the performance from Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcel Sabitzer because all game they were a threat and they can do it.
“The retune of Anthony Martial can help us so we have options there.”
