Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that his side put in their 'best performance of the season' in Wednesday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
The 20-time English champions dominated the contest from start to finish, having 28 shots during a strong display, with second-half goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes proving to be the difference between the sides.
Tottenham struggled to make their mark in a 3-5-2 formation, with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min seeing little of the ball in the final third of the field.
Ten Hag has revealed that he was pleased with many aspects of his team's performance at Old Trafford.
"I think so (best performance) but it's not about me. It was the best performance of the team in the season. That is what you want. You want to see the progress in the team and that is what I've seen today but not only today. In many games, I've seen it," Ten Hag told MUTV after the contest.
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"Sunday (0-0 draw with Newcastle United), we were all disappointed with Sunday's game, but we had a clean sheet, as we did today. So we see now when you want to get success, you have to defend proactively and do it with 11. It's what we are doing, acting as a team and it is always the base to get success in the season.
"In possession, I think we were really good with switch of play, the full-backs did really well. They all did well. We kept the patience in the opposition half as that is what Spurs are aiming for, for us to lose balls so they can make a quick counter-attack.
"We almost didn't let that happen and that is a big compliment to the team. Just one moment, before half-time, we had to break their counter-attack, a really dangerous attack from them.
"When we do that, with good rest defence, patience on the ball, we create chances. You've seen that, before and after half-time, we created a lot of chances and didn't allow them too many counter-attack opportunities.
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"I'm happy. It's the same as Sunday [against Newcastle United] as we defended [just] as well and had a clean sheet. You see how proactive we play from good defensive organisation, very proactive in pressing and you saw the problems we cause for opponents.
"Also, on Sunday, we didn't concede chances from open play. This is a base to win games and get into positions where you want to be in the end.
"Against a solid and magnificent Tottenham, we have played and performed very well. Today was a brilliant performance. We scored two goals and I think we should have scored three or four goals.
"I'm pleased with the team - it was the best team performance so far this season. You can see today that we are developing. We are getting better every time on the pitch. It was enjoyable to see this."
Man United, who sit fifth in the Premier League table, have now won nine of their last 12 matches in all competitions, with the team in impressive form since losing their first two Premier League games of the campaign to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.
Ten Hag's side will now end October with matches against Chelsea, Sheriff Tiraspol and West Ham United before visiting Real Sociedad in the Europa League on November 3.
Matt Law
