Nemanja Matic said Manchester United responded to Jose Mourinho's half-time team talk in rallying from two goals down to secure a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace on Monday.
Matic scored his first goal for United since a summer move from Chelsea that capped a United comeback after the hosts took a 1-0 half-time lead through a deflected shot.
A quickly taken restart allowed Palace to go 2-0 up early in the second half, and Matic said he and his teammates answered Mourinho's call to give "more."
"After the second goal it was very difficult for us to come back, we showed character and did exactly what the manager wanted us to do," Matic told Sky Sports. "He said at half-time we had to do more."
Matic sensationally hit the winner with a half-volley from well outside the box that swerved away from Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey and nestled inside the far post.
"I'm happy I've scored my first goal for Manchester United, I know it's not my job but I'm glad it got us the three points," he said.
Mourinho then confirmed that his half-time talk was not suitable to be repeated, telling Sky Sport: "I cannot tell you half of the things I said.
"I can only tell you the other half, and that was about the tactical position in the first half.
"Half the message I can't tell you because lots of 'beep beep beep' on television and the other half was tactical information."
The rally was an encouraging sight for United, who earned their Premier League-best fifth win since 2010-11 after trailing by two or more goals after the 54th minute.
"We are improving, we need to do more for sure. In the smaller games we drop some very important points, and we can't lose those points like at Leicester away," Matic added.
"In these kind of games if we can manage to win we can compete for the title. The quality is there but we have to be honest, we need to do more.
"There are five or six teams in this division that can compete for the title. We will have a lot of confidence, once you win a game the supporters have confidence in you and it makes it easier."