Erik ten Hag picks out promising sign despite needing late goal to beat Omonia

Erik ten Hag was pleased his players created so many chances against Omonia on Thursday, despite needing a last-minute goal from Scott McTominay to snatch a 1-0 win.

Manchester United edged past the Cypriot side at Old Trafford to take a huge step towards the next round of the Europa League. They now need just a point from their final two group games against Sheriff and Real Sociedad to progress to the knockout stages.

Ten Hag's side wasted countless opportunities against Omonia, as goalkeeper and boyhood United fan Francis Uzoho put in a stellar display at Old Trafford. The hosts had 34 shots and 78 per cent of the ball, with the visitors having just three efforts in reply.

Speaking to BT Sport, Ten Hag was keen to take the positives from the game. "No [the win isn't the most important thing]," he said. "Football is about scoring goals. We created so many chances, but ball went in the net only one time and we are happy at that."

Ten Hag added: "I have to give my team the compliment - they kept patient, coming in the right position, creating chances. [They] didn't allow the opponent to come out, so I think they did well.

"But the one thing about football is you have to score and we did that less - the game had to be three or four-nil... We need speed of play high, we have to keep tempo on the ball - but also the movement.

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"Again, when you create so many chances against a compact opponent, it's well done for the team. But I have the preference to score more and to score earlier that makes life easier."

Although Ten Hag was happy with the opportunities United created, he was less impressed with some of his team's sloppy play. He continued: "It was in the last 10 minutes, we pointed that at half-time, keep the focus.

"There's always when you play an opponent who are that compact in the back - you don't score, you get impatient. We got out of position, started forcing. I don't call it sloppy, but they can break and you can avoid. There was only 10 minutes in the game so I have to pay compliment to the team."

Responding to Ten Hag's post-match interview, United legend Paul Scholes told BT Sport: "I think he's frustrated. I think he's expected a four or five-nil game and he's frustrated with his players. It's okay having a great performance, having a lot of chances, if you don't score goals you don't win games - so that will be frustrating for him."

Scholes added: "Going to that Sheriff game in a couple of weeks, they've got to score goals. They can't afford to be so wasteful, go to Sociedad then it goes to goal difference - providing they win both games - goal difference could be huge in this group."

United are back in action on Sunday when they take on Premier League rivals Newcastle at Old Trafford. Their next Europa League game is against Sheriff in two weeks' time.

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