Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag explains half-time criticism of players

Erik ten Hag says his criticism of the Manchester United players was warranted during his half-time team talk against West Ham.

United were goalless at the pause of their FA Cup fifth round tie on Wednesday night but were fortunate to be level after David de Gea thwarted Michail Antonio in a one-on-one.

Ten Hag made six changes to the team which beat Newcastle United in the League Cup final three days earlier but the United manager was so unhappy with the first 45 minutes against West Ham he substituted Scott McTominay for Casemiro.

Also read: Two United players set to return at Anfield

West Ham went ahead early in the second half but United recovered to win 3-1 and progress to the quarter-finals. United captain Harry Maguire said afterwards Ten Hag "went fairly strong" with his pep talk at the pause.

"What I saw was that we were not playing to our standards," Ten Hag said. "That's what I saw in the first half. Then I will be tough on my team, to my players, because I demand a performance.

"Every day I demand a performance. I don't accept when it's lower, then I will criticise them and tell them what to expect. Then I have to give the team solutions on how to win the game and I think the performance in the second-half was much better."

The midweek win ensured United still have three trophies to play for after securing the League Cup, with three cup games in the FA Cup and Europa League to come in the next two-and-a-half weeks.

Due to their cup commitments, United only have two Premier League fixtures against Liverpool and Southampton over a period of almost six weeks but Ten Hag insists the squad is energised by more silver to play for.

"We like to play," Ten Hag added. "We have energy from playing every third or