Speaking to the media post-match last night, Erik ten Hag was questioned on another crunch game for him and his team as they travel to West Ham on Sunday afternoon (15:00 BST kick off).
Manuel Ugarte was a player who received a lot of praise after his performance against Fenerbahce. Fans and ex-players like Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes spoke highly of the Uruguayan's display and ten Hag agrees with such comments.
"I think today is a step forward, so really pleased with his performance, and from here on he has to build on."
ten Hag mentioned how the holding midfield role is important but that despite his good performance, Ugarte still has to learn that position in terms of how United play.
Patience is required says the Dutchman, when it comes to having a player who is good enough for that CDM role and if the player doesn't have that quality, "it's very difficult for a team to control games."
He also says that new signings need time to be integrated into the team.
The MUFC boss also feels that he does have depth in his midfield with the likes of Casemiro, Mainoo and Eriksen, a player he believes is "doing brilliant" at the moment.
Erik ten Hag also "denies" the defeat to Spurs. It is a game that he "ignores" because United were reduced to ten men and once Bruno's red card was overturned, he feels that it was not a "fair assessment to the team." There was no time for his side to "bounce back."
On the mentality of the side, ten Hag syas that his team are resilient and determined. The last three games before last night's draw, the manager believed his side showed character in two tough away games (Porto and Villa) as well as the win over Brentford.
On injuries, he says that it is holding their levels back and that "when you don't have the players available, you can't line up the best team."
He admitted that the club needs to do better in terms of getting more players available as that when more are ready to play "we are a really tough team to play." He believes that when most of his players are available, "we can be really successful."
On Antony, who picked up an injury 17 minutes after coming on last night, ten Hag still hasn't seen what happened for this injury to occur nor does he know the severity of the problem.
Erik ten Hag also confirmed that United will be staying in Turkey for the night [which would be after the game on Thursday] before traveling straight to London where they will train ahead of the trip to West Ham. He's hoping that Jonny Evans will be back whilst also expecting to see captain Fernandes as he was suspended for the Fenerbahce encounter.
Quotes via The United Stand.
Final Thoughts
Ugarte was really good last night. It was his best performance and displayed exactly what I think he's all about. He can definitely play that holding midfield role and I disagree that Ugarte needs time to integrate as he's been here long enough and the only other real CDM option is Casemiro who's been poor.
Ugarte is more than capable of doing exactly what we need in terms of that robust, ball winner of a CDM, as he showed last night. I'm not sure why ten Hag has been reluctant to use him as that type of player is what our midfield is crying out for.
The only way Ugarte can truly build upon his performances is if he plays regularly. If he's in and out of the side constantly, it will be hard for him to find a rhythm and we're more likely to see very inconsistent performances from him. This is the time to give him a run of games as after a strong showing like last night, he'll want to continue to build on that performance.
I think the reason why he plays Eriksen deeper is because he can provide that ability on the ball which neither of Casmeiro nor Ugarte possess. Both are average at best in possession whereas Eriksen displays a lot more quality. This strikes a balance in our midfield which can give us that ability to perhaps control games that which we don't have if we have players who can't play ball in midfield.
The Spurs game is one we all want to ignore and deny but the history books will say we were embarrassed 3-0 at home. And we were and while the red card to Bruno may have played a part in us not being able to get back in the game, we were still shite with him on the pitch. I really don't think things would've been different had he not been sent off.
I get that ten Hag is trying to look at it in a way so as to not make his players feel crap but I'm hoping that he says this sort of thing for the cameras and that behind the scenes, he lets them have it.
However, I don't think that this is the case. I feel ten Hag feels aggrieved at that game and that his side were given an unfair hand with that sending off which led to a disgrace of a performance and result.
When it comes to the mentality, I think it is very hit and miss. We have our games like Brentford where we can come back after a setback and play some great football but then we have games like Spurs and Liverpool where there is no mentality shown at all.
I don't think we can continue to be on both ends of the spectrum in that respect. The mentality of a United player needs to be strong. Always. And if it isn't, then they're not a United player.
The injuries are still there. We thought that they would be gone after last season and while they aren't as bad, it still isn't great. Whether you think he's a good player or not, having an extra body like Antony is useful should the need arise.
That means we now have eight players out.
Do I think we can be a good team if everyone is available?
I believe there's a chance. One of our best periods under ten Hag was post the World Cup and until the Carabao Cup triumph. We saw some of our best and most consistent football in which we had very little injuries.
The manager was able to field a strong side more often than not which is why we saw the football we did. That tells me that should we ever get a fully fit squad, there is a chance.
Background Image: Erik ten Hag and Julen Lopetegui | Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolverhampton Wanderers FC via Getty Images - Hammers News