Erik ten Hag full-time reaction showed Manchester United have their belief back after Real Betis win

When the final whistle blew on Manchester United's test of resilience against Real Betis Erik ten Hag turned on his heels and made sure to shake hands with every member of his squad behind him.

The Dutchman climbed back into the dugout to share his appreciation with his substitutes and backroom staff before striding out onto the Old Trafford pitch. He immediately sought out David de Gea, the one player who will feel he didn't do himself justice, and wrapped an arm around him.

Ten Hag didn't speak to any of the other players who finished the game, but instead walked with De Gea to the tunnel, holding an animated discussion as he tried to raise the confidence of his goalkeeper, who had a wayward night with his kicking.

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The United boss could afford to focus his attention on De Gea. The rest of his team had rediscovered their own confidence levels as the 90 minutes wore on against a poor Real Betis side. There was a wobble after conceding an unmerited equaliser, but by full-time United were pouring forward.

If there is a disappointment it will be that they didn't score more than four. It could arguably have been double that. By the end they played with a swagger that was evident before Sunday's collapse against Liverpool.

It would have been a long four days for these United players after their Anfield horror show. They were in early on Monday for a video nasty with Ten Hag and had been left in no doubt that what they produced on Merseyside wasn't good enough.

Ten Hag wasn't overly critical in his press conference on Wednesday, but when it came to his programme notes at Old Trafford and the chance to address fans, he didn't hold back. “The players have been