Hurzeler: We controlled the game

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Albion's head coach felt the 3-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford was fully deserved,

Bruce Talbot

2025-01-19T16:30+00:00

Fabian Hurzeler directs operations on the Old Trafford touchline. 📷 by James Boardman.

Fabian Hurzeler felt Albion ‘controlled the game’ they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford for the third year in a row.

Goals from Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter sealed a 3-1 win and a Premier League double over United that lifted Albion up to ninth in the Premier League table.

The head coach said, “It was a good game for us. After the first goal we got a bit passive but after they scored we dominated and controlled the game. We deserved to win.

“We changed some small margins at half-time which made us stronger and of course we had some great individual quality on the pitch. It’s all about how intense you press and stay in your structure and we did that well.”

Yasin Ayari helped create Albion's second goal with a great burst from midfield. 📷 by James Boardman.

Albion have now won their last three in all competitions after drawing six of their previous eight and Hurzeler says belief in what they are doing is the key to turning draws into wins.

“In the Premier League every game is competitive and unpredictable," he added. "You have to work for the momentum you make and in the last two games and in the FA Cup game we’ve had that belief. If you can outwork an opponent then you can outplay them and I’m happy that we’ve been able to do that in the recent games.

“We have believers in our squad and that’s important.”

There was a nice moment for Hurzeler just before kick-off when he spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson, who had just laid a wreath in the centre circle as part of United’s poignant tribute to Denis Law, who died on Friday. “Sir Alex Ferguson asked me take care of Danny Welbeck, who worked with him at United and so I will have to do that,” added Hurzeler.