Erik ten Hag has admitted Manchester United’s new-look midfield must click quickly after a stuttering start in Monday’s victory over Wolves. Raphael Varane’s 76th-minute header gave United three points at Old Trafford, but Wolves were worth at least a point after registering 23 shots at goal and being denied a stoppage-time penalty that even Premier League referees’ boss Jon Moss later acknowledged should have been given. Much of the focus was put on an underwhelming display from United’s engine room after the match. Ten Hag disputed suggestions that Casemiro had been left isolated as both Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount pushed forward, but he admitted much better is needed away to Tottenham on Saturday. “It’s a new midfield and we have step up there,” he said. “We have to improve in possession. We were absolutely not good. “It had to do with our rules and principles and we did not match those rules and principles in possession and then you do not get a good game. “Also the players made so many unforced errors and we were below our standards from what we are used to and what our players are capable of. “We have already seen in pre-season we can do much better and we’ve seen last year they can do much better so I’m sure they will improve quickly.” Making his Premier League debut for United after a £60million move from Chelsea, Mount struggled to make an impression and was replaced by Christian Eriksen in the 68th minute, with the Dane providing more defensive cover alongside Casemiro. But Ten Hag believes Mount, who played in advanced positions for Chelsea, can adapt to a deeper role in much the same way as Eriksen did after joining from Brentford last summer. “I think he can and already we have seen it in pre-season,” Ten Hag said. “We have to work on many facts of our game, the midfield and the cooperation in how we have to set it. “I’m sure we will get it. It’s not coming overnight but if it was easy, everyone could do it. “Christian Eriksen came in and had the same thing, it was the first time in his life he played in a deep role. That was the ambition from Christian and it’s also the ambition from Mason to be more multi-functional. “It will not come overnight. There is a process we have to go through but I’m sure with his game intelligence, he has the technical abilities and also he is efficient with the ball. He knows how to deal with the ball. “He has the dynamics and he has the mentality. All the ingredients are there to do it.” New goalkeeper Andre Onana emerged from his Premier League debut with a clean sheet, but was lucky not to concede a penalty when he clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic without claiming the ball late on. I will encourage it, I like it when players are proactive, to be on the front foot. That is the type of player we need Erik ten Hag But Ten Hag said he had no problem with the Cameroon international’s approach to the game. “I think he is very proactive and that is what we want,” he said. “We want proactive players but of course he has to manage himself as well, when to be proactive and when to be more passive. “I will encourage it, I like it when players are proactive, to be on the front foot. That is the type of player we need.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Big transfer fees no guarantee for Chelsea starting spot – Mauricio Pochettino Ange Postecoglou promises to bring Spurs fans joy after Nick Cave inspiration Top seed Iga Swiatek fights back to reach Western and Southern Open semi-finals

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David Moyes defended his team selection after West Ham’s unbeaten European record was reduced to ruins in Athens. The Hammers came a cropper in the shadow of the Acropolis as they crashed 2-1 at Olympiacos, their first loss in continental competition in 18 matches. Moyes, who led his side to the Europa Conference League title last season, made seven changes for their Europa League Group A clash in the Greek capital with one eye on Sunday’s visit of Everton. But his tinkering backfired as a soft goal from Olympiacos captain Kostas Fortounis and an own goal from stand-in Hammers skipper Angelo Ogbonna brought their undefeated run to a halt despite Lucas Paqueta’s late volley. “Look, we changed a lot of players tonight, we’ve got the Premier League coming up and we’ve got a League Cup game next week and we’d won the first two games in the group, which gave us leeway to make changes tonight,” Moyes told whufc.com. “But maybe I have to recognise that while we didn’t win the Conference League games easily, as they were all tough games, coming to Olympiacos after winning away in Freiburg – which was a good result – this wasn’t a good result and wasn’t a good performance. “In our heads we certainly had a bigger picture in our heads and that was going into Sunday. “I don’t think anybody could say the team we started with wasn’t a good team and wasn’t a team capable of winning or performing. “Many of them have been very good players for us over the years and still are.” The local ‘ultras’ welcomed West Ham on to the pitch with a huge banner reading “tonight you dine in hell”, and the Hammers’ first-half display was certainly hard to stomach. The hosts took the lead in the 34th minute when Fortounis launched an old-fashioned toe poke from the edge of the box which flew past the flat-footed Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal. On the stroke of half-time the Hammers found themselves two behind when Ogbonna suffered his own personal Greek tragedy. The Italian veteran stuck out a foot to block a cross from Brazilian full-back Rodinei, only to help it past Areola into his own net. Moyes sent on Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio before the hour mark but the Brazilian’s strike, albeit spectacular, was all West Ham had to show for a late flurry. Fortounis admitted his goal was a shade fortuitous. He told reporters: “To be honest, it all seems like a haze. “I turned and ran towards goal, the ball was right in front of me and I couldn’t do anything else. It was literally a strike with the tip of my toe.” Read More West Ham suffer first European loss in 18 matches at hands of Olympiacos Former Everton boss David Moyes pays tribute to ‘wonderful man’ Bill Kenwright David Moyes hopes West Ham and Olympiacos fans behave in Greece Man Utd expect to pay further tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton on Tuesday night We’re after seven teams – Unai Emery plays down Villa’s Champions League chances Such a good man – David Moyes hails Sir Bobby Charlton help as fans pay tribute

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