Manchester United are busy preparing for their first pre-season match under Erik ten Hag.
It will be an opportunity for several players to impress the new manager, but it’s also a chance to come up against rivals Liverpool, who Ten Hag will be expected to compete with in the coming years.
Academy graduate Scott McTominay insists there is a feeling of ‘optimism’ ahead of the first friendly match of the pre-season tour, even though there’s nothing friendly about playing against Liverpool.
Ten Hag has now had two weeks with his new players, but McTominay admits there is a real sense of belief under the Dutchman’s management.
“Now is the time to be optimistic,” McTominay told club media on tour, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News. “We’re really looking forward to what’s to come because the way the coaches have presented their ideas to all the players and all the staff is very promising for sure.”
The Scotland international was also asked about his own preparations ahead of the new season. It might come as a surprise to some of you but he claims he hadn’t had to do too much work to stay on top of his fitness.
McTominay added: “To be honest, not a lot in terms of the off-season. Maybe five or six training sessions. But we only had two and a half weeks off so you can’t go blowing your gasket too quick.
“You need to make sure you’ve had enough rest and make sure you’ve got enough time in the legs to properly recover, but obviously there’s a chance to make your body stronger.
“I feel good, I feel refreshed, I feel fit and getting over the time difference here, we’re looking forward to a good week in terms of the games that we’ve got coming up and the training as well.
“I think all of the players are more than locked in to do their jobs for the new coach, for sure.”
