Erik ten Hag reveals where Manchester United need to improve after Southampton win

Erik ten Hag says there is ‘room for improvement’ after Manchester United clinched a narrow victory over Southampton at St Mary’s.

Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis

United endured a miserable start to the campaign, losing at home to Brighton on the opening day and then suffering an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Brentford.

But Ten Hag’s side stunned Liverpool last week and made it back-to-back victories with a 1-0 win over Southampton today.

United were not at their best but edged a cagey affair thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ second-half volley.

Ten Hag was pleased with his side secure three more points and climb to sixth in the Premier League but said he craved more ‘control’ as Southampton repeatedly threatened to equalise after Fernandes’ opener.

He said: ‘I think the players learnt some lessons from Brentford. We were more compact on the long balls. Of course we were really happy.

‘The goal we created, we could have made more. You hope to have more control in the last 30 minutes of the game.

‘Before half-time we already had the best chance of the game. I was satisfied. At the start of the game we could have created more.

‘It is the start of the season, it is tough. You have to battle and we did that today so we were rewarded.

‘I still feel there is room for improvement, to control more, but we are not that long in our way. We can improve that is clear.’

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, meanwhile, felt his side ‘deserved more’ as they slipped to a second defeat of the season.

Why Casemiro and Cristiano Ronaldo are on the bench for Man Utd's clash vs Southampton

'Big mess' — Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant tells Manchester United target to snub transfer

Man Utd make move to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Chelsea deal hits