Manchester United under Erik ten Hag

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Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United have players in their squad capable of scoring '20 goals a season' as he insists Marcus Rashford must be more ruthless in front of goal to back up to the rest of his game

* The Dutch manager insisted players within his squad can be more clinical
* Erik ten Hag said Marcus Rashford can and should be more ruthless this season
* Manchester United host Newcastle on Sunday who have scored four more times

Erik ten Hag has told Marcus Rashford to be more ruthless as he looks for Manchester United to score more.

None of the Premier League’s top seven teams have netted fewer than United’s 13 goals this season, with Saturday's opponents Newcastle on 17 having played one game more.

Rashford has scored five goals in 10 games, but failed to hit the net against Omonia Nicosia despite having 10 shots during the 1-0 Europa League win on Thursday.

‘He did a lot of things well but he knows he has to be more clinical and he had to score a goal,’ said the United boss. ‘When you have such good movements and make such good combinations, good actions, then you have to finish.’


Erik ten Hag said Marcus Rashford should bring a ruthlessness in front of goal to his already stellar all-round game. United boss Ten Hag urged Rashford to be more clinical in front of goal after misses in Europe

The Dutchman also wants the rest of the team to pitch in with goals. Asked if United have a 20-goal-a-season striker in their ranks, he replied: ‘I think we have in our squad players who can score that number of goals.

‘But I think we also need something from midfield and the defensive department.’

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11317341/Ten-Hag-believes-Man-United-players-squad-capable-scoring-20-goals-season.html

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag 'can only trust FIVE first-team players to start regularly', claim Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves... with Casemiro, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo NOT among the stars the Dutchman can rely on

* Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes said Erik ten Hag can only rely on five players
* The ex-Manchester United stars were speaking after the Red Devils' latest win
* Ten Hag guided United to a 1-0 victory against Omonia Nicosia on Thursday
* But the duo claimed the Dutchman trusts just five of his stars to play regularly

Erik ten Hag can rely on just five players in his Manchester United squad, according to pundits Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves.

The Dutch boss, appointed this summer, guided his side to a narrow 1-0 win against Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday.

But speaking after the match, the pair - both former United midfielders - insisted Ten Hag only trusts half of his outfield team to deliver consistently on the pitch - with £70m signing Casemiro, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo not among them.

Hargreaves said: 'Luke Shaw came into the side against Everton, (Victor) Lindelof came into the side, Casemiro came into the side. So he's still trying to find the blend.

'The rest of the positions are up for grabs, so I think there are auditions for these players to go on and play well.'

Scholes added: 'He's not quite sure what his best team is, (he is) not totally thrilled with the performances.


Manager Erik ten Hag 'can rely on just five players in his Manchester United squad'. Pundits Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes made the claim after Ten Hag guided the Red Devils to a 1-0 win against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Forwards Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Marcus Rashford (right) were not among the five named. The £70million summer signing from Real Madrid, Casemiro, also missed out

'(They are) winning games, yeah, but I don't think he's got the right blend of what he actually wants.'

The five named were goalkeeper David de Gea, right back Diogo Dalot, centre back Lisandro Martinez, signed this summer for £55m from Ajax, and midfielders Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes. Jadon Sancho and Luke Shaw were also excluded.

After a poor start to the season saw United lose their first two games, Ten Hag has turned things around, winning seven and losing two in all competitions since then, a run of form which sees them lie one point off the Champions League spots.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11316253/Manchester-United-boss-Erik-ten-Hag-trust-FIVE-team-players-start-regularly.html

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Manchester United's 'aggressive, emotional' display against Tottenham can be a blueprint for how Erik ten Hag wants to play, according to Lee Dixon - who praises 'brilliant' Lisandro Martinez for shackling Harry Kane

* Pundit Lee Dixon praised Manchester United's performance in Tottenham win
* NBC coverage discussed how much of a blueprint display it was by Red Devils
* Bruno Fernandes' sweet strike and Fred's deflected effort seal victory

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon hailed Manchester United's display in their 2-0 win over Tottenham, explaining how the performance could be a blueprint for Erik ten Hag's side.

United impressed as they overcame rivals Spurs thanks to second-half goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes.

The midfield duo were key to the Red Devils' success at Old Trafford, but NBC pundit Dixon also pointed out that the whole team knew their responsibilities.

When asked by co-commentator Peter Drury how much of a blueprint the victory was for United and how to play against Spurs, he replied: 'United's structure. Ten Hag has done a lot of work with where he wanted his midfield players to be.


Manchester United impressed during their 2-0 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday evening. Ex-Arsenal defender Lee Dixon was full of praise for the way Red Devils executed gameplan

'The midfield was for me where it was won and lost,' Dixon said.

'Fred's positioning, releasing Fernandes. I think that just put Tottenham on the back foot. They didn't play particularly well but United didn't let them.

'I think [Raphael] Varane mentioned in his interview, mentioned aggression, they were really aggressive United, an emotion but you can't play aggressive football with emotion if you don't know what you're doing, if you're slightly off the gameplan, you have to be fully committed to it.'

United have lacked real identity and a particular style of play since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 but Ten Hag appears to be making his mark on a much-improved United team.

Antonio Conte's Tottenham sat seven points ahead of them heading into the league encounter but United controlled the game and kept Spurs threatening attacks Harry Kane and Son Heung-min quiet.


Manager Erik ten Hag appears to be making his mark on a much-improved United team. Dixon singled out defender Lisandro Martinez (No. 6) for keeping Spurs star Harry Kane quiet

Dixon hailed Ten Hag's side's 'aggression' and singled out summer signing Lisandro Martinez for shackling Kane.

'The start of the game was really important for United. They got into the game, they realized they were playing well and that they could release players in that midfield areas and create chances which enabled them to built that confidence up,' Dixon added on NBC.

'Then when you add aggression, add emotion, add fans who are behind it, and can see a plan, and a DNA and all the stuff we've talked about, you got a United performance that was very, very good.

'Conte will be disappointed. Harry Kane was marshalled brilliantly by Martinez and they were a kind of a damp squib tonight.'

United sit in fifth place in the Premier League standings following victory over Spurs, eight points off leaders Arsenal.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11334183/Manchester-Uniteds-aggressive-emotional-display-against-Tottenham-blueprint-says-Lee-Dixon.html

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'Today we were not good enough… it starts with the players following the rules': Erik ten Hag fumes at 'STUPID' Manchester United flops after they conceded early in both halves in surprise 3-1 loss at Aston Villa

* Erik ten Hag was fuming at his Manchester United players after Aston Villa loss
* His side were defeated 3-1 at Villa Park, including going two down in 11 minutes
* The Dutch manager said his side were not 'following the rules in defending'
* Luke Shaw also felt that Man United did not deserve to win Sunday's match

Erik ten Hag accused his Manchester United players of stupidity and labelled their performance unacceptable as they were dismantled by Aston Villa.

Ten Hag handed the armband to Cristiano Ronaldo barely two weeks after axing his from the squad, only to watch his team slip to a first defeat in six league games that leaves them still outside the top four.

‘Collectively it was a bad performance,’ said the Dutchman. ‘When we are out our best, we start the game on the front foot and ready to play. We were not and we did not deserve any more than we got.

‘We didn’t follow the rules in defending and we lost our battles. If the players had done their job with 100 per cent desire and passion then we would have won this game.

‘I have been in football a long time and players are not robots. Sometimes this is the way it is, it’s psychological but it’s not acceptable. We have to be ready for every game and not give it away so easily.

‘It was stupid to try to cross the ball in the way we did, too quickly and from too far out, with too much force. We have to cross in the right moment. In the second half we were too quick to cross.’


Erik ten Hag was fuming with his Manchester United's players after a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa. He said his players have to take responsibility for their involvement in United's performance. Luke Shaw, who started at Villa Park, said Manchester United did not deserve to win the game

Early goals from Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne put United on the back foot immediately and though Luke Shaw’s deflected strike gave them hope just before half-time, Jacob Ramsey restored Villa’s two-goal lead soon after the interval.

'We lost the game at the start of first half and second half and that is not acceptable,' ten Hag said to Match of the Day. 'They looked more fresh and more ready. We need to be more sharp. The result is really clear. It never lies. Today we were not good enough.

'We didn't get the right organisation. We created chances and good chances at 2-1. But you are really disappointed to concede at the start of the second half.'

Furthermore, ten Hag told Sky Sports after the game: 'It's not acceptable that you concede a goal so quickly in the second half on the counter. Our players are experienced. You have to read the game and get right the organisation. Not concede two goals [early in the game] - that's totally unnecessary.

Ronaldo captained the side less than a month after he walked away from the team in the middle of their match against Tottenham Hotspur after refusing to come on as a substitute.

Meanwhile, Shaw played the opening 65 minutes of United's loss at Villa Park, before being replaced by Tyrell Malacia, as the hosts welcomed new boss Unai Emery to the dugout.


United collapsed to a 3-1 defeat at Villa Park, with Leon Bailey (right) on target for the hosts

Speaking after the game, 27-year-old Shaw also told Match of the Day: 'We knew they were coming out with a new manager and a new feeling. We did expect it. But in games like this, if you start slowly in the first 20 minutes then you are going to lose.

'We were not good enough. We have always got to believe we can win games even when we're 2-0 down. We conceded early in the second half and it's a mountain to climb after that.

'If you watch the game back, you'll see we made a sloppy start. They were finding spaces and pockets and turning with ease. That is not good enough. We didn't deserve to win.'

The result was the Villains' first home league win over Manchester United since August 1995.

Man United will hope for some form of redemption when they host Aston Villa in the third round of the League Cup on Thursday evening, before a final league game at Fulham's Craven Cottage before the World Cup break.

Meanwhile, Philippe Coutinho is a major doubt for the World Cup due to a thigh injury sustained in training. The Villa playmaker faces a race against time to be fit for selection for Brazil, with the tournament in Qatar beginning in less than two weeks’ time. Coutinho’s lack of form meant he was already facing an uphill struggle to make the final cut.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11396177/Erik-ten-Hag-savages-beaten-Manchester-United-stars-following-3-1-loss-Aston-Villa.html

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'We're going in the right direction': Erik ten Hag hails 'culture change' at Manchester United after Alejandro Garnacho secures vital win with last-gasp strike at Fulham

* Erik ten Hag was delighted with the resolute display from Man United
* Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner
* United are three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand

Erik ten Hag insisted Manchester United were 'going in the right direction' as the' culture has changed' following the dramatic win at Fulham on Sunday

Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner to secure a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage in their final Premier League game before the World Cup break on Sunday.

Man United are three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham having played a game less in the Premier League.

Ten Hag said: 'I think we have a base. We're going in the right direction, the culture has changed. The attitude has changed and that's good. We have also improved. We have got a better mentality and you saw that today with the winner in the last minute.

'We are now united, we have togetherness. The dressing room, the staff, the directors, the whole club and the fans. I'm really happy with that development.'

Christian Eriksen scored the opener in the 14th minute, sliding in at the far post to steer the ball home after Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes combined cleverly to create the chance.


Manager Erik ten Hag was delighted with the resolute display from Manchester United

The home side equalised in the 61st minute with a goal eerily similar to Manchester United's as winger Willian played Tom Cairney free down the right and he centred for ex-United winger Daniel James to score two minutes after he came off the bench.

Ten Hag added: 'In the last week we had some good choices with subs coming in and having a big impact. It's a massive win, it's really important and I'm very happy with it.'

He also praised match-winner Garnacho.

He said: 'It's a big skill (confidence/arrogance) that he has. But it's always finding the balance. He can perform under stress and he came in and performed well like he did on Thursday.'

Fulham manager Marco Silva, speaking to Sky Sports: 'It's the second game in a row [conceding in the last minute]. We didn't deserve that result. First half we were trying to control the game, we were more on the front foot but we know the players and the quality they have.

'When you lose the ball and you don't react in the right way then they can punish you with Martial, Rashford and Elanga.

'In the second half we knew it would be hard to control the game always but that was our plan, to play our way. We reacted really well after their goal and our second half was really good.

'We created chances from the first minute of the second half and scored a good goal, a good offensive transition.

'But then the second goal, we cannot concede goals like that. We worked so hard to try and get a result. We have to be proud of the team and how they played but it is hard to take.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11423509/Ten-Hag-hails-culture-change-Man-United-Garnacho-scores-gasp-winner-Fulham.html

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Manchester United players want Cristiano Ronaldo gone BEFORE the end of the World Cup after he turned on team-mates following criticism of Erik ten Hag and the club

* Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at his younger Manchester United team-mates
* The first part of Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan aired on Wednesday night
* Ronaldo claimed the young players at United lack the 'hunger' of his generation
* He also insisted he has 'no respect' for current Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag
* Now his team-mates want to see the back of him before the World Cup ends
* The feeling among the squad is that it would be better if United move him on

Cristiano Ronaldo has burnt his bridges with the rest of the Manchester United players after he criticised the club and manager Erik ten Hag in an explosive interview.

The feeling among the squad is that it would be better if United find a way of offloading Ronaldo while he is at the World Cup and the 37-year-old Portugal star does not return to Old Trafford.

The mood will not have improved after the first instalment of Ronaldo's sit-down with Piers Morgan aired on Wednesday night in which he criticised the attitude of United's young players and said that only his Portugal teammate Diogo Dalot is destined for a long career at the top.

'Their hunger [is different]. I think they have things more easily, everything's easy, they don't suffer - and they don't care,' said Ronaldo.

'If you tell me what I see in Manchester United, I can mention probably Diogo Dalot. He's young but he's very professional and I have no doubts that he's going to have longevity in football.

'We have a few ones more - probably (Lisandro) Martinez - but like Dalot it's difficult to say.'

Ronaldo confirmed that he was 'close' to joining Manchester City before United brought him back last year, questioned the club's decision to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and was scathing about the ideas of the Norwegian's replacement, interim manager Ralf Rangnick.


Cristiano Ronaldo has burnt bridges with the Man United squad after his explosive interview. Ronaldo claimed United's current young players are lacking the 'hunger' of his generation. The Portuguese star also insisted he has 'no respect' for current United boss Erik ten Hag. Ronaldo's team-mates want him to be moved on before the end of the World Cup

'The new coaches coming around, they think they have found the last Coca Cola in the desert,' he added.

Ronaldo's outspoken views on Ten Hag will air in part two of the interview on Thursday night, but his team-mates believe he has betrayed Ten Hag and the club, not the other way around as he claims.

Raphael Varane was the first United player to speak about Ronaldo on Wednesday, saying: 'Obviously it affects us. We follow what is happening. We try to calm the situation in our own way and not to get too involved.

'When it's a star like Cristiano, even more so we try to take it with distance, that is to say that we do not try to change the situation alone, we are part of a collective.

'What I want is the best for my team so whatever the decision the club reach we will accept it.'

Ronaldo, who missed United's last two games through illness, was absent from Portugal's training session in Lisbon on Wednesday due to a stomach bug and is a doubt for Thursday's final World Cup warm-up game against Nigeria.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11437077/Cristiano-Ronaldo-Man-Utd-players-want-star-gone-World-Cup-ends-criticism-team-mates.html

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'We were sleeping': Erik ten Hag not happy with Manchester United's 'unacceptable' display after they were beaten 4-2 by LaLiga strugglers Cadiz in a mid-World Cup friendly - but boss insists it was a 'good lesson' for his young stars

* Manchester United suffered a 4-2 defeat to Cadiz in a mid-World Cup friendly
* Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has slammed his side's 'unacceptable' performance
* Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all started the game
* Martial and Kobbie Mainoo both got on the scoresheet for United in the defeat

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was left bemused with his side's 'unacceptable' performance as they suffered a 4-2 defeat to Cadiz in a friendly.

The Dutchman opted to take a whole host of first-team players that didn't head off to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup to Spain in order to keep them sharp before the Premier League returns.

Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Alejandro Garnacho, Donny van de Beek, Martin Dubravka, Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay were some of the stars handed an opportunity in the match.

United were 2-0 down in the early stages of the contest as Carlos Garcia-Die Sanchez and Anthony Lozano both found the back of the net.

Frenchman Martial pulled one back from the penalty spot before Kobbie Mainoo levelled the score just after half-time, although it was short lived as Cadiz struck twice more to seal a comfortable victory.


Manchester United suffered a 4-2 defeat to Cadiz in a mid-World Cup friendly on Wednesday

And Ten Hag was not happy with his side's display - particularly in the first half.

'It is quite clear, we were not awake and still sleeping in the first 15 minutes,' Ten Hag told MUTV after the friendly.

'We prepared them. [We knew] They are a threat in transition and we have seen the second goal. It can't happen.

'You are not awake. Especially in the midfield, we got run off, this is not possible. Unacceptable.

'The first goal was as well. A set-play, bad organisation and bad discipline in the organisation, and you concede a goal.

'After that, we came into the game. We get a penalty, a clear one, and we deserve another one in the second half.

'We came into the game but we couldn't score an equaliser before half-time.'

Ten Hag changed his entire outfield side at half-time and said the young stars would have learned a lesson from the match.

'They gave energy,' he said. 'They ran, they fight... maybe not always in the right organisation and they made mistakes - they are not used to playing this level.


Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag was not happy with his side's unacceptable display. Ten Hag insisted it was a 'good lesson' for his young players who came on in the second half

'But it was a good lesson. You see when you make small mistakes, there are big consequences and you can lose the game. That's what happened.

'That has to be the standard always.

'The first 15 minutes cannot happen, it is not our standard. It should not happen.

'We have to strike it, draw a line under it and move on. But it can't happen in the future.

'We are unhappy with this game. Of course, you have some positives when you lose but today you have more negatives.'

United will face Real Betis in another friendly on Saturday before they return to competitive action in the Carabao Cup against Championship side Burnley on Wednesday, December 21, just three days after the World Cup final.

The Red Devils play Nottingham Forest in their first Premier League outing since the World Cup break on December 27.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11514273/Erik-ten-Hag-slams-unacceptable-display-Manchester-United-embarrassed-Cadiz.html

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Erik ten Hag says Manchester United WILL activate the one-year extensions on David de Gea, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Fred and Marcus Rashford's contracts... with all five currently set to leave Old Trafford for nothing at the end of the season

* Manchester United are set to extend the contracts of five of their current stars
* Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and David de Gea have six months on current deals
* They are joined by Diogo Dalot and Fred, with all six available for free in summer

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the club will extend the contracts of five players with deals up at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, David de Gea, Fred and Diogo Dalot all have six months remaining on their contracts, and Ten Hag has revealed the Red Devils plan on using their option to extend for a further 12 months, according to reports.

Rashford has been linked with a move to PSG, and Ten Hag remained coy on his plans for De Gea in the future, but by tying players down for another year it prevents certain stars leaving for nothing this summer.

'We are talking with them to extend their contracts but we are in control because on all the players we have options and we will exercise these options,' the Dutchman said.

But when he was asked about his Spanish goalkeeper in particular, he only added: 'Like I say, we have options and we will do them.'


Luke Shaw (R) struggled to get into the starting XI at the start of the season but impressed in Qatar

And when asked whether the relatively small amount of time left on five contracts leaves the club vulnerable, Ten Hag replied: 'You can see it this way but if the decision is not that good we have other options.'

Rashford's situation is one that perhaps will be more pressing for the club, with the forward undergoing an impressive return to form this season.

He leads the club's scoring charts with eight goals in all competitions - as well as providing three assists - and returns now from a World Cup in which he was his country's joint-top scorer with three goals to his name.

And the situation has become only more alarming with PSG's president Nasser Al-Khelaifi confirming interest in the English forward, saying: 'Rashford is amazing and for free? Every club will run after him,' the French giants' president told Sky Sports.

'Definitely, we're not hiding it. We spoke before, was not a good moment for both sides. Maybe [in the summer]. Why not?

'We're not going to talk to them now, let them focus on the World Cup.'


PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi says they could make a move for Marcus Rashford next summer

However, Ten Hag refused to reveal whether he felt confident that the 25-year-old would stay at Old Trafford.

'I can't answer that question,' he said. 'He has to make a decision and only what we can do is to show him that this is the best club to be in and that is what we can do.

'And it has to do with the culture of the club, but also in the way we are working, working together, it has to do with the way we play, the way we train, are we offering the right environment to progress further on? And it's also a financial issue as well.


Ten Hag was coy on David de Gea's future but Diogo Dalot has been a key player for him

'So if we do that, if we can [talk] about the ambitions and how we want to fulfil the ambitions etc, such talks we will have with him. And then it is up to him to make the decision. It's one-and-a-half year, he will be here.'

Both Shaw and Dalot - who are still in their 20s - also had relatively positive World Cup campaigns, with the former struggling to make an impact in the early stages of the season at United.

Fred, however, will turn 30 in March and it is still unclear whether the club will look to move him on in the summer.


Midfielder Fred will turn 30 in March and it unclear whether the club will cash in over summer

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11528399/Manchester-United-activate-extensions-contracts-five-stars-including-Marcus-Rashford.html

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Erik ten Hag brings in mind coaches to help his Man United stars: Twice-a-week counselling sessions available as boss leaves no stone unturned to get the best out of his squad and cope with any psychological issues

* Erik ten Hag has introduced sport psychologists to his Manchester United squad
* Rainier Koers joined United's mid-season training camp in Spain in December
* Jadon Sancho has been offered support after he was declared not mentally fit

Erik ten Hag has brought mind coaches into Manchester United to help his players cope with any psychological issues.

Ten Hag is leaving no stone unturned in his efforts to get the best out of his squad, and has been using Dutch company Talent Academy Group since taking over at Old Trafford in the summer.

It's understood that sports psychologists from TAG are on hand at United at least twice a week to offer counselling to any players who want it.

Rainier Koers, a senior performance coach with the Den Bosch-based firm who describes himself as a life coach, joined United's mid-season training camp in Spain earlier this month and was seen observing training from the sidelines at the club's base in Jerez de la Frontera.

Speaking previously about his work, Koers said: 'Helping people makes me very happy. I do that by listening, watching and feeling what is going on with the other person and making them aware of unconscious behaviour. Towards change. Very cool!'


Erik ten Hag has brought sports psychologists into Manchester United to help his players. Ten Hag's United lost both of their mid-season friendly games in Spain to Cadiz and Real Betis

Ten Hag said on the trip that United are 'prepared for every situation' as their players return from the World Cup in different physical and mental states.

For instance, Lisandro Martinez was a World Cup winner with Argentina but Raphael Varane, his centre-back partner at United, suffered the heartbreak of losing Sunday's final in Qatar with France. Both players must report back to the club next week after a short break ready to resume the domestic season.

United's back-room staff must lift some players - which proved difficult when the England contingent returned after losing the final of Euro 2020 on penalties last year - and make sure others are fully focussed for the second half of the campaign.

That is where Ten Hag hopes the TAG mind coaches will be able to help in managing the psychological wellbeing of his players.

It's understood that United have also been offering support to Jadon Sancho after Ten Hag revealed the 22-year-old wasn't physically or mentally fit to join the training trip to Spain.

The Dutchman isn't the first United manager to see the value of sports psychology. Ralf Rangnick brought Sascha Lense onto his back-room team, but the German followed United's interim manager out of the club in the summer.

Ten Hag wants to seek out marginal gains wherever he can to take United to the next level, and is believed to have met with Tour de France cycling teams to discuss nutrition and sleep patterns.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11555819/CHRIS-WHEELER-Erik-ten-Hag-brings-mind-coaches-twice-week-counselling-sessions-available.html

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Erik ten Hag fears the World Cup has set Manchester United back ahead of the Premier League's return - and urges his players not to lose touch with the 'rules and principles' he implemented at the start of the season

* The World Cup has set Manchester United back, according to boss Erik ten Hag
* He has urged his players not to let their standards drop when the league returns
* Man United face-off against Burnley in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening
* Ten Hag fears his squad will forget the 'rules and principles' he has championed

Erik ten Hag fears the World Cup has set Manchester United back, and has warned his players not to let their standards slip in the second half of the season.

United return to domestic action on Wednesday night when they face Burnley in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford.

Half of the United squad have been away on World Cup duty, and Ten Hag is worried that they will have lost touch with the 'rules and principles' he has implemented since taking over.

The Dutchman is particularly concerned that the passive style favoured by a number of nations at the finals does not fit United's proactive approach.

'You saw in this World Cup many nations played passively, waiting and playing on the reaction.

'We have seen against Manchester City, that was our big problem in that game. We want to be dominant and proactive, but we played in a different way.'


Erik ten Hag fears the World Cup has set Manchester United back ahead of the league's return. He is worried his squad will forget the 'rules and principles' he has implemented at Old Trafford. Ten Hag admitted: 'We are in a good direction, but still there is a lot of room for improvement'

Ten Hag will be without several of his World Cup stars against the Championship leaders but he believes the club have made good progress since he arrived from Ajax in the summer.

'We are in a good direction, but still there is a lot of room for improvement,' added Ten Hag.

'It means keeping high standards. I always say, satisfaction makes you lazy. If you are too satisfied with yourself and the team, you will not maintain those standards.'

Meanwhile, United have triggered one-year extensions in the contracts of Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Fred until June 2024.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11559679/Erik-ten-Hag-fears-World-Cup-set-Manchester-United-ahead-Premier-Leagues-return.html