Ralf Rangnick believes Manchester United's pulsating 4-2 win at Leeds United was the 'best reply' to reports of disruption in the dressing room.
United led 2-0 at half-time at Elland Road but Leeds made it 2-2 with two goals in as many minutes within nine minutes of the restart.
Rangnick introduced Fred and Anthony Elanga in the 67th minute and the pair both scored to secure a vital victory and extend United's advantage in fourth to four points.
"It was very intense," Rangnick said. "If you were a neutral person, [it was] an entertaining football game, there were only very few moments where nothing happened on the pitch.
"It took us some 10 or 15 minutes to get into the game. I think the last half-hour before half-time we did great, we put them under pressure, we forced them into their half, the whole first-half took place in their half. We were 2-0 up, it could've been 3-0 up, 4-0 up.
"At half-time, we were fully aware they would have a go at us and would try to play with more aggression. I still believe the first goal came out of the blue, I don't think Rodrigo intended to play the ball where he played the ball to, but within two minutes all of a sudden 2-2.
"It took us five minutes to shake ourselves and the reaction after that I think was great, we showed maturity, we showed maturity, as a team on the pitch and in the end we highly deserved to win.
"We knew it was an important win today, similar to the one against West Ham, similar emotion at the end with a last-second goal. Today it was more important not only that we won but the way we reacted after conceding the equaliser, that was the best possible answer the team could give.
"It was perfect in regard to maturity and unity and the best reply they could give to some articles last week that there was disruption in the locker room. A game like this one today, you can only win as a team and the mentality of a team. Apart from the three points, this was the most important thing for me."
Elanga was struck by a missile as the United players celebrated Fred's goal but Rangnick insisted the teenager, who clinched the win with United's fourth goal, was fine.
"As far as I know, there is some investigation going on from Leeds United," Rangnick added. "I don't think anything happened in the end, Anthony Elanga looked well and was happy about scoring his goal. Obviously, things like that should not happen.
"This game, even more so, the atmosphere was great, at times we have to cool down things on the pitch, this is what I did when I walked onto the pitch, I didn't want anything to happen, no yellow or red cards. At times like this, it's important to cool things down."
