Erik ten Hag hails Man Utd's Andre Onana and Harry Maguire after dramatic Champions League win - ‘A narrow escape’

Erik ten Hag hailed the under-fire duo of Andre Onana and Harry Maguire after both made a telling contributions in a crucial 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford.

Maguire’s second-half header was enough to get United off the mark in the Champions League, before Onana produced a superb save in the dying embers of the match to keep out Jordan Larsson's penalty.

“It’s incredible, a great night. Especially so after conceding a penalty in the last 30 seconds. It should not have happened [the penalty decision], but it was a brilliant save from Andre,” Ten Hag told TNT Sports.

“Those players, Harry Maguire and Andre, both played a very good game. He [Onana] made a brilliant save just after half-time.

“It was very important save as well, but it was a soft penalty to concede. We should have got a penalty ourselves earlier in the game, and I don’t know why it’s not a penalty.

“But after a poor first half, we stepped up in the second half and created more chances than them.

"The win is justified, but it was a narrow escape in the end."

Ten Hag also praised Christian Eriksen’s performance after making a telling impact from the bench ahead of the second half, and providing the assist for Maguire’s winning header.

"Very important, Christian is always positive,” he added.

“He brings football and we did not have the football in the first-half - Copenhagen are well organised and you have to break them down. Christian Eriksen makes the right passes."

The Dutchman also explained how the disruption to United’s back line has exacerbated their problems this season, and says having a settled back four will be vital in turning around their inconsistent form.

"If you look back to last year we had a very good back four and were so consistent, with Casemiro in front all the time we controlled the ball,” he explained.

"This season, every time we have had to swap the back four, the routines go away and the midfield opens up. We struggle to get the right balance.

"We have seen games this season where we have not had good possession and we lose control in midfield. But I am sure when we get the routines back in the back four, it gives the team a foundation to play off."

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