• News

‘We press all day’ Ten Hag urges Man United players to adapt to his style

Erik Ten Hag
Getty Images
Advertisement

The Red Devils manager believes his side should work more to implement his ideas on the pitch.

Erik ten Hag has admitted Manchester United players are still unable to reach an acceptable level of pressing play.

The Dutchman was speaking after his third consecutive win with United on Tuesday. The Red Devils defeated Crystal Palace 3-1, continuing their solid form under Ten Hag.

“We are happy with the improvement we see. But we see also there is a lot of work to do,” he told MUTV.

He added: “That is a demand on the team, we press, we press all day. 

ExpressVPN
Go further with the #1 trusted leader in VPN

“If we can, we do it high on the pitch, if we can’t, we do it in a lower block, but we have to do it together, as a team. The timing of the press, I still see switches we can’t afford, we can prepare a better press. 

“I think also on the ball [we can improve]. We played well, but you see at 2-0 up or 3-0 up the belief is increasing, then with the ball we can delay, we can postpone so that opponents come out, and then speed up.”

Ten Hag wants Man United attackers to put more energy into pressing their opponents’ backline.

“I hope we can convince them [the attackers] to do a lot of work, a lot of running,” he added. “You see, they put a lot of energy into the defence and they get rewarded by scoring goals, winning balls high up the pitch.

“No opponent likes to be pressed on the defensive line. I think it’s a big advantage when you can do that, but you need the whole team.”

United will face Aston Villa in their next pre-season friendly on Saturday.

x