Harry Maguire has admitted Erik ten Hag gave Manchester United's players a scolding at half-time against West Ham.
Erik ten Hag said his players would 'get back to work' after lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley at the weekend, but after making multiple changes to the starting line up to face West Ham, his side were lacklustre in the first half.
West Ham were the better side in the opening 45 minutes and Casemiro replaced Scott McTominay at the break, although that didn't stop the visitors from taking the lead through Said Benrahma shortly after the second half began.
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Ten Hag responded to that setback by bringing Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford onto the pitch and United soon drew level after those substitutions were made, with West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd scoring an own-goal.
With the scoreline level at 1-1, the game looked set to go to extra time, but Alejandro Garnacho found the back of the net in the last minute of the contest and Fred, who started on the bench, put the result beyond doubt.
Although United weren't at their best, they progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with victory and Maguire told MUTV that Ten Hag was not happy at half-time, saying: "He [Ten Hag] went fairly strong, to be honest, he knew we had to up it.
"We knew it, or we'd lose the game. To come out as well and for them to score a great goal, although we thought it was out. I know you have to play to the whistle and I'm sure we'll get a telling-off from the manager, but the last 30 minutes we found something.
"The crowd sucked the ball into the back of the net at the Stretford End. It was a tough game. The first half we weren't at our best, a bit slow, I don't know why. Maybe Sunday, with the celebrations, as we lacked a little bit of tempo.
"We spoke about the game, tonight was all about winning and progressing. I must say the last 30 minutes were really good, relentless from the lads and great fight. After having the goal disallowed, we could have dropped out heads and sulked.
"But it was recentness and three good goals. The second one is a stand-out from Garnacho, so really pleased for him and I'm sure he's going to score more matchwinners in front of the Stretford End."
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