Had the Reds found another goal at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian and beaten our hosts Real Sociedad 2-0 rather than 1-0, then the knockout playoff round - the draw for which will take place on Monday - would have been bypassed.
The solitary goal was scored by Alejandro Garnacho in only his second senior start for the club and Ten Hag was pleased with the young Argentinian's all-round game.
The Dutchman was also delighted by the way his compatriot Donny van de Beek acquitted himself after being named in United's XI for the first time since December 2021.