Newly appointed Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly ordered his players to return to training immediately as the pre-season campaign approaches. The Dutchman is also said to have placed some additional demands, instructing the groundsmen to trim the grass to about 15mm, as he aims to work on the team’s passing, a key element of his style.
Ten Hag’s teams are known to play a particularly eye-catching style of football, inspired by Pep Guardiola’s approach to the game, as his side typically employs a high-possession based strategy with an intricate passing element to it.
However, the United boss is also famous for subjecting his teams to a rigorous training schedule, which involves fitness drills and technical work simultaneously. He also makes it a point to have his teams share meals together, which he feels improves the morale and spirit of the side. This method was also employed by one of ten Hag’s predecessors and legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
It is no secret that Ten Hag fancies the Austrian Alps as a training spot pre-season, but that will not be possible this time around as many of his players are only just returning after an intense international schedule. Therefore, the Dutchman plans to start training as soon as possible, with pre-season friendlies lined up in the near future.
“Ten Hag is all about training the brain. United’s players will do plenty of running – but they will run with the ball rather than just being asked to sprint up sand dunes,”
a source close to the former AFC Ajax boss remarked.
The tactician will reportedly strictly enforce players eating together, as he feels that his football relies heavily on the teammates’ chemistry with one another, both on and off the field. He is aware of the factions that were created within the squad during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure at the club.
Ten Hag is also believed to have told his players in no uncertain terms that they will have to participate in all team activities, amidst reports that players felt isolated and lonely when Solskjaer was manager.
