Erik ten Hag explains why he’s unconcerned with Everton’s 23 shots in Man Utd win

Erik ten Hag has said he is not concerned that Everton managed to accrue 23 shots in Manchester United's Premier League win on Saturday.

It was a performance where United showed cutting edge in the offensive areas - mainly via Alejandro Garnacho - but couldn’t find a way to stymie Everton’s creativity. But converted first-half penalties from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford proved decisive and handed United all three points at OId Trafford.

Much of the post-match discussion centred around United’s lack of control, something which has been a common theme this season. The Red Devils have conceded 198 shots across the last five games, nearly 20 per match.

But Ten Hag said he is unconcerned about that particular stat and claimed many of the attempts his side concede aren’t from threatening areas. “We do it already for a longer time in many more games,” the Dutchman explained. “If you see their xG [expected goals] is not that high and ours is much higher. 

“It is their gameplan, obviously. We have players who feel comfortable to defend low. But you have to be disciplined and you have to incorporate it very well. It was a team performance, especially our back four with the keeper and Casemiro. They have done very well.”

Asked if the opposition having a lot of shots will result in a high number of goals, Ten Hag replied: “That’s not true because they are low-quality chances. You see the chances, they had some, also I think the way we defended set-plays was very good.

“We were really organised and we were focused - everyone did their job. There was one or two second phases where they had some opportunities, but all over we did quite well.”

United set up in a fluid 4-3-3 shape with Fernandes operating in a false nine role as through balls were repeatedly slipped into Garnacho and Rashford in the wide areas. Despite the flaws in the team's midfield set-up, it proved to be an effective way of cutting through Everton. “I think the lads did a very good transfer of the game plan by dropping Bruno and Scott [McTominay], and then get in the runs in behind from Garnacho and Rashford,” said Ten Hag. 

“We expect the high press from Everton, with their double six goes to our double six and then we created the spaces in behind. I was pleased with that and from there we scored the goals, the penalties, we took benefit from, the way of play, from the pressing. 

“I was also pleased with how we defended the box. The only thing that can be better is sometimes we can keep more of the ball and be more calm on the ball - play more give and goes. 

“When they have such a high press you cannot go all the time with long balls because you stretch the pitch and don’t always want that. But I think, all over, it was a good performance and a good result.”

The victory leaves United eight points behind fourth-place Aston Villa and three off Tottenham Hotspur. Those sides meet on Sunday at Villa Park in what could prove to be a crucial game in the race for the Champions League places.