Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has done an interview with club media previewing this summer’s pre-season tour.
The Red Devils are set to travel to Thailand and Australia in July as preparations for the 2022/23 campaign continue. New manager Erik ten Hag took training with his new group of players this week and more senior players will be joining them at Carrington next week, as per the Manchester Evening News.
Saha knows what it’s like to travel the globe with United – not only as a player, but an ambassador more recently – and he has spoken about the importance of connecting with fans worldwide.
“It’s always important to be connected with the fans,” Saha told ManUtd.com.
“Some of those guys in Australia, in Asia when we go there, sometimes they struggle to come to Old Trafford.
“So, to have those connections, sometimes it brings new opportunities. It’s brilliant and I think it’s very important.”
United kick off their pre-season tour with a game against Liverpool in Bangkok on 12 July.
The squad will then travel to Australia for games against Crystal Palace and Melbourne Victory in Melbourne and then Aston Villa in Perth.
Ten Hag and his players will then move closer to home for friendly matches against Atletico Madrid, in Norway, and Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford. Of course, the Dutchman will hope his squad is well prepared for the new season by then, but it will take time for him to decide on his best eleven.
Speaking about Ten Hag and the impact he can have on the squad, Saha added: “I’m pleased but we will see in three or four months what is going to happen.
“A lot of changes will occur during the transfer market, I’m sure that we may be able to understand what he can see [in the squad] from the first few interviews.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing the way he builds up young players too.”
Saha in the second former player to credit Ten Hag for developing young players this week – following on from Wes Brown.
We certainly hope he can help form a pathway for more academy players into the first team as one of the club’s most important traditions.
