Daniel Farke said bravery was the key to Leeds United's first league win at Old Trafford in 45 years.
The Whites claimed a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in a match that was less comfortable than it threatened to be when Lisandro Martinez was sent off for the hosts with Leeds 2-0 up.
But they got their rewarded for a front-footed started which saw them score twice through Noah Okafor in the first half, and go close on other occasions.
"I think the key was to be brave and to play on the front foot, because if you just try to park the bus and just try to survive somehow and suffer here, there's no chance to travel away with points at Old Trafford," said manager Farke, who was forced to endure an anxious finish when Casemiro headed a goal back for the 10 men after 69 minutes,
"We wanted to dominate as many periods as possible, also in possession.
"I think we were brave in our pressing.
"The first half was excellent.
"When I think about the chance for Dominic (Calvert-Lewin), for Pascal (Struijk), we could have been easily three or four up.
BIG WIN: James Justin celebrates at full-time (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)placeholder image
BIG WIN: James Justin celebrates at full-time (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
"We didn't allow apart from one strike, anything for Man U - excellent.
"We also started really well into the second half but of course we are not the finished product. We're a newly promoted side, we're not immaculate.
"They're a top-class side who could bring quality players from the bench..
"It could sometimes be tricky, especially if you concede such a bit unnecessary set piece goal out of second phase, where we could have been a bit more switched on at the far post.
"We could have buried the game before, and then you have to dig into the last moment to win this game.
"But there's no doubt that we deserves to win and have this excellent night for everyone who's connected with Leeds."
The win stretched the gap between Leeds and the relegation zone to six points with six games to play.
Jermaine Beckford's goal famously knocked the Red Devils out of the FA Cup in 2010, but this was their first league win on the ground since 1981.
And as only their second away win of the season, it was a big confidence boost going into the relegation run-in.
"I'm of course very proud of our first ever win at Premier League level here as a club at Old Trafford, the first win here in more or less four decades in the league," reflected a delighted Farke.
"It feels especially outstanding in these circumstances, the crunch time period of the season, a bit under pressure playing the last fixture of the gameweek.
"We also didn't have the easiest week - key players out - Anton Stach, Joe Rodon and Daniel James and several other key players having a difficult week in terms of training. Gabbi Gudmundsson had just two days of team training.
"I was a bit reluctant to put them all into the starting line-up but because so many were already missing, I took the risk.
"Thank God I did this, because they've delivered in an excellent way."
Martinez was sent off after a review of the pitchside monitor for pulling the hair of Dominic Calvet-Lewin.
"I have not seen it back during the game," said Farke. "The feeling was there was a foul on Dominic but I haven't seen it back.
"I just guess that if the VAR says you have to break the game and watch a scene, it's a clear red card.
"The referee (Paul Tierney) has time to watch it, and gives the red card and I'm pretty sure it was the right decision.
"If I'm honest, I wasn't really happy about the red card, because we were so far the better side, so much in control.
"I know it sounds sometimes a bit strange, but such a situation can change the momentum of the game."
Defender James Justin said he felt the red card "bewildered everyone".
"I thought we were the better side in the first half," he commented.
"We played some good football and had a good few chances, even the ones that we didn't take, and we were definitely on top.
"We had a formula that was working, I would say, and then sending off just changed everything.
"It just bewildered everyone. I'm not even sure what happened.
"It's nice to be playing against one less man for once this season.
"Obviously, we had to defend for our lives and obviously show the fans how much it meant for us on the pitch as well.
"We ended up getting three points, which is most important, I suppose."
Leeds know have a big opportunity on Saturday when they host bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers knowing victory will take them to 39 points.
"It was an amazing win for the fans and the club. It's a massive one, especially in terms of survival this season.
"The travelling fans, as always, are probably the loudest I've ever heard. I can only take my hat off to the support we get from them.
"I feel their emotion, but we've got to stay level-headed.
"We've still got a job to do towards the back end of the season, but obviously they can have a good night, or a good couple of nights, and then back to business as usual on Saturday."