Erik ten Hag reveals what he said to Man Utd players at half-time in win over Aston Villa

Erik ten Hag told his Manchester United players to 'believe' they could win against Aston Villa, when 2-0 down at half-time.

The Red Devils trailed after goals from John McGinn and Leandro Dendoncker in the opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford, but came away with a Boxing Day knockout victory thanks to Alejandro Garnacho’s second-half brace and a late winner from Rasmus Hojlund, his first in the league.

It looked unlikely that would be the case at the break when United were booed off by the home fans following another abject half. But Ten Hag revealed after the game that a minor tactical change proved crucial to stymying Villa’s attacks after half-time.

"First half, we played solid and it was a bit sloppy to give two goals away from set-plays," explained the Dutchman after the game. "In half-time we changed slightly the pressing, there was a slight change in pressing. But we kept going. 

“In the first half we created chances: twice Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot were all very good and created chances from open play. We said: ‘keep going, believe in ourselves’. That is what I demand from a team. I said it before the game and said it at half-time: ‘keeping believing and we will win this game’.”

If United fans could have scripted the perfect storyline pre-match, it would almost certainly have concluded with a Hojlund winner. The Dane broke his Premier League duck on the 15th attempts and was ecstatic when the ball bounded in off Emiliano Martinez's post.

His reaction was one of sheer joy after a frustrating few months. "I have had several talks with him and every time I have pointed out ‘you scored for Denmark a lot and in the Champions League, you demonstrated ability and you can do it’," Ten Hag revealed. "Believe in it and it will come. Now the first goal is in, he will net more.

"When strikers don’t score it is a problem, but he has a strong character and is so resilient and determined. He has a big personality and that is what a striker needs, and when you keep investing the goal will come."