MILANIC HAILS SPIRIT

MILANIC HAILS SPIRIT

United head coach reflects on 1-1 draw at Norwich...

United head coach Darko Milanic hailed the team spirit of his side after they came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw away to Norwich City on Tuesday night.

The hosts dominated for large parts of the game at Carrow Road and Russell Martin’s header gave them a 59th-minute lead, but United hit back within four minutes through Souleymane Doukara.

The striker capped a quick break up-field as he latched onto Adryan’s pass before firing into the bottom corner for his fifth goal of the season so far in all competitions.

Asked if he was pleased with the point, Milanic said: "Yes, because the team showed fight and stayed together against a very good home team."

Milanic also noted the differences from Friday’s defeat at Rotherham and the head coach shifted from the midfield diamond in the second half as he opted to utilise Adryan and Doukara in the wide positions.

"It was a different game," he said. "Against Rotherham we played well in the first half and controlled the game.

"Again, we made something but they had a lot of possession with two big strikers. We changed our formation and it worked better with another formation."

The head coach brought Sam Byram and Adryan into the side following the loss at Rotherham and says he wants everybody to feel involved in his plans.

"It is extremely important, we have a great team spirit," said Milanic.

"It is extremely important that all the players feel as though they are part of the first team. Here we have 20 players able to play. It was my decision for this game.

"They had wingers who were extremely quick and extremely good and our full-backs had a good match."

Milanic also praised Doukara’s goal and believes his team are making progress despite remaining in the hunt for a first win since taking charge.

"It was a great move when we scored the goal," he said. "We went with three attackers with Mirco, Adryan and Doukara and it was a great finish.

"Everybody sees that we are together on the field and we have an idea that the players want to do good. This is extremely important.

"I know that for a coach it is important to take a lot of points but we must not forget that the team is alive."

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