Erik ten Hag issues Sofyan Amrabat verdict and Mason Mount fitness update after Man Utd vs Crystal Palace

Erik ten Hag has been speaking after Manchester United’s comfortable win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.

Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial were all on target as the Red Devils progressed with a 3-0 home win at Old Trafford. The comfortable win was a welcome one after a number of disappointing performances to start the season that has seen Ten Hag’s men lose as many as they have won in the Premier League so far.

Ten Hag made changes for the visit of Palace in the cup, with new signing Sofyan Amrabat making his full debut.

“Yeah, but that’s why we play him there and I knowhe’s capable. I said before, he is a player [who] if the team needs him, he will play there,” Ten Hag said of Amrabat after the game. “And then he gives contributionto the team and that is quality, but also qualities, also then theenergy and the dynamic he brings.”

Mason Mount also returned from injury to feature, and Ten Hag has explained why the midfielder was substituted upon his return.

He said: “Definitely [we substituted him as a precaution]. Before he’s returning from an injury and we have to build this up. And when we go too quickly, you get the drop.And we want to avoid that. And I think his performance was very good.”

As for the performance on the whole, Ten Hag said: “Oh, it’s a good night, as you said. And Ithink we played quite well and dominated the game. So that waswhat we were looking for.

“But I alsosaid disappointment and frustration [from the losses]. But the mood is then dropping. The spirit was always good, togethernesswas always there and is there. And you could also see that today. And we make a step forward in Burnley,how we defend, how we do that, and togetherness today onthe ball and we make another step. So still a lot to come, but we are making [progress] and we are moving forward.”