Match-winner Scott McTominay says that the way manager Erik ten Hag prepared his players to take on Chelsea made all the difference following their 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

The Scotland international, who started for the seventh Premier League game in a row, netted a brace to seal a return to winning ways for the Reds, finding the net either side of a Cole Palmer leveller. His two-goal haul marked his fifth and sixth goals of the season in all competitions.

United, as a result of getting back on track, climbed up to sixth in the table, just three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who were beaten 1-0 at Aston Villa. United needed to produce a response after Saturday's no-show at St James' Park and McTominay felt they did exactly that, acknowledging how quickly they came flying out of the traps.

"All the boys were so upset with how we coped with that game, it wasn't anywhere near good enough. To come here tonight and win was a plus, and it's something we can build on."

McTominay credited boss Ten Hag for his preparation in the build-up to the visit of Mauricio Pochettino's side, admitting that he kept training sessions light to harvest energy.

The midfielder, asked what was key in terms of mentality, added: "The manager, to be honest with you, in the way that we approached the game. There have been a lot of light training sessions to keep the energy, to keep fresh and to obviously go to the next game, as obviously they come really thick and fast.

"For us, it is a night that we should be really happy with and one that we can build on."