While Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was naturally disappointed with Saturday’s defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, he was keen to shine a positive spotlight on the way his side stuck to the task.

A second-half strike from Pape Sarr and Lisandro Martinez’s own goal meant the Reds lost our first away match of the season, despite threatening the hosts’ defence throughout.

Ten Hag conducted a press conference following the defeat and was asked how he assessed United’s performance against Spurs.

Erik expressed his disappointment at losing the contest but was quick to praise his side’s first-half performance and the way we continued to battle throughout.

“It’s about keeping the belief,” he said. “I think always you find arguments to give an explanation for a performance but I don’t see it in that way.

“I think the team [stuck] together. They didn’t collapse, they [kept] fighting, we created chances. I refer to that big chance from Antony [where he hit the post].

“We had some really good attacks and their keeper had some good saves for them. So I don’t see that in that way [that Spurs dominated the second half]. 

“I know how we have to reply on counter-attacks [when you go behind].

“And of course you take more risks once you have to score a goal. Then your opponents can drop deep and and go quickly out.

“But we have some rules and I think we are quite comfortable for the whole game, that part. I think when you oversee everything, I think we created more chances, many more chances than Spurs did.”