After Alejandro Garnacho scored in Tuesday's League Cup victory over Crystal Palace, Erik ten Hag reprimanded the Manchester United youth for his "not good enough" earlier efforts this season.
After defeating Burnley 1-0 on Saturday in the Premier League, United defeated Palace 3-0 in the third round at Old Trafford, relieving pressure off of Ten Hag.
Following a precise first-half goal from Diogo Dalot's cross, Garnacho gave United the lead, and Casemiro and Anthony Martial finished off the easy triumph.
The 19-year-old started United's first two games of the season, but his start against Palace marked the first time since a loss at Tottenham five weeks prior that he has been included in the starting lineup.
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When we played him at the beginning of the season, his contribution was insufficient, according to United manager Ten Hag.
He needs to understand that when he does his duty of defending, he will always have his opportunity and be decisive since he possesses excellent qualities.
"Also, it's not just off the mark. However, I want to see that he enters the box correctly to finish, like he did today.
"Everyone likes him—the fans, the team, and I—but we also need to demand and challenge him because he has the ability to act at a very high level. He must demonstrate it each day.
Ten Hag was more impressed by Moroccan international Sofyan Amrabat, who made his club debut at left-back before switching to his usual midfield position following halftime.
On the day of the transfer deadline, Amrabat came to United on loan from the Italian club Fiorentina, and Ten Hag is impressed with his versatility.
"Sofyan is a player, and that was one of the reasons we signed him, because he will play where the team needs him and can play in more positions," he stated.
Every player has their best position, but they all contribute to the game's dynamics. We've already seen a lot today, but also for him and many other players.
After a report in Germany claimed that Jadon Sancho's bad form was partially brought on by extended sessions playing X-Box video games, Ten Hag declined to comment on the matter.
when angering Ten Hag by writing on social media that he was being used as a scapegoat when the Dutchman decided to leave him out of a game at Arsenal earlier this season, Sancho has been working separately from United's first squad.
Before wrapping off his press conference, Ten Hag added, "I don't talk about personal concerns, and I don't talk about players that aren't accessible.
