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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly urging his players to become “nastier” as part of a three-pronged approach to overturn the club’s fortunes on the pitch.
United have endured a difficult start to the 2024/25 season that has seen them lose two of their three opening matches.
After narrowly beating Fulham on the opening day of the campaign, the Red Devils suffered defeats at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool respectively.
The manner of the loss against Liverpool in particular left a lot to be desired. The Merseysiders found it easy to cut through United as they exerted their dominance and control from start to finish.
After a summer in which Ten Hag was facing an uncertain situation with regard to his future at Old Trafford, the pressure is now back on the Dutchman to oversee a run of good results and performances.
The Daily Mail reports that Ten Hag is “urging his players to be nastier” as they bid to get out of the current rut they’re in.
According to the newspaper, “The United manager has called on the squad to be more aggressive from front to back to avoid conceding any more soft goals. There was a feeling that United weren’t hard enough last season and needed to develop a meaner streak.”
“Secondly, Ten Hag wants United to have more possession, telling his players they need to protect the ball better to control games.”
“Thirdly, Ten Hag has been drumming it into his players to be more positionally aware – a problem that resurfaced at Brighton when Joao Pedro was left unmarked at the far post to head a 95th-minute winner.”
The Mail reveals that Ten Hag has been showing his players videos to highlight the importance of good positioning on the pitch.
It’s understood that the 54-year-old coach is eager for his side to “cut out silly mistakes and unnecessary goals.”
The Red Devils’ next assignment is against newly-promoted Southampton at St Mary’s.
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