Manchester United flew out for the first leg of their pre-season tour in Thailand on Friday.
Erik ten Hag named a 31-man squad which does not include Cristiano Ronaldo due to ‘family reasons’, although the 37-year-old did feature in the new kit launch despite claims he has asked to leave United for a second time in his career this summer. The Portuguese star has been given additional time off for the foreseeable future.
The Dutch coach will take charge of his first pre-season game as Reds boss on Tuesday when United take on Liverpool in Bangkok before travelling to Australia for a game against Melbourne Victory three days later.
In an interview with MUTV, Ten Hag explains his goals for the upcoming tour: “I have to learn, to know my squad, the personnel, the individuals, the player.
“That is, I think, one of the biggest advantages from the tour. We have two weeks to work really close together and we will learn about each other because I want to learn about them and they want to learn about me, my coaches and assistants.”
The former Ajax manager has now had the bulk of two weeks with his new squad. They will get to know each other and the new backroom staff better over the coming weeks.
Watch: Ten Hag instructs pass and move drill with United players
We are excited to see how Ten Hag implements his style of football on the team and he wanted to explain how that will look.
“We want to play a proactive style of football,” Ten Hag added. “On the ball and off the ball.
“Trying to do that has to be our intention. The coaches bring it over to the team that we are in, in every situation, proactive.
“We are brave and willing to have the ball, to give each other options. But also off the ball, to get the pressing style is what we’re working for together.”
He also praised his players, saying: “Of course, I want to bring the energy in my team. But I must say, the players do really well.
“They are really focused. “They bring, for themselves, the energy.
“You see they enjoy playing football. They enjoy playing football together and they really work well together.”
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