ERIC TEN HAGG says he will come down hard on any Manchester United players who step out of line under him.
The Red Devils’ no-nonsense new boss has laid out his demands as he talks about his desire to return Manchester United to the top.
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Manager Erik ten Hag issued a warning to his Manchester United teamCredit: Getty
And it’s clear that discipline will be number one on the list as he tries to get the club back on form and back into contention for major honours.
Ten Hag said: “I think one of the problems when you want to get results is you need a team.
“It’s organization, cooperation, and also discipline. When there is no discipline around, you will not find it on the field. I am quite strict with such problems.
“But I think the players themselves also have to be tough on each other because if they want to be successful, they have to stick together. Sometimes it needs correction.
“I have high standards because you are here, you play for Manchester United, and then you have to bring it every day on the pitch. That is my expectation.”
There is also a lighter side to the boss as he smiled and joked: “I don’t need a hairdryer” when told the nickname for Sir Alex Ferguson’s infamous dressing room tantrums.
But he is focused and businesslike, as he proved when he was interviewed for the job, having shaken United chiefs in the first place with his damning assessment of why the club had lost its way.
Ten Hag said: “I think I have a clear idea of the strategy. The way I want to play football, but also the way a top football club should be structured. We talked about these ideas and agreed on the structures and the way we play football. Now we need to implement this.
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“I signed here for three years, but in football it’s short-term too. We have to win from the start. So I’m not looking that far ahead. I have a strategy, it’s a process, it takes time, but at the end of the day we have to make sure there’s a winning team from the start.”
So what makes the former Ajax boss convinced he can succeed where others have failed in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era?
He said: “I have to say I have a strong faith. It’s a big challenge, but so far, wherever I’ve been, I’ve gotten the most out of my teams, and this is the project that’s been the hardest. I realize that, but I’m here and I’m confident that I can do it.
“I know it’s not an easy job, but it gives me some joy, energy, together with all the people around to make a unified cooperation, and this should be the platform for success.”
Speaking here in Melbourne, Ten Haag admitted that last season, when the club finished with the lowest points total in the Premier League, had clearly affected the squad’s confidence.
He said: “You can see it taking its toll on the players. Now we have to cheer them up and motivate them.
“We are trying to restore trust. It is one of the important points to achieve success that you have faith in yourself as an individual and as a team.
“But sometimes you can be very demanding because that’s what we expect and we give them feedback – ‘why aren’t you performing to your standards?’ And that’s the question I ask the players.”
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The Dutchman is on tour with his country in AustraliaCredit: AFP
The Ten Hag have had a decent couple of weeks both on and off the pitch so far, winning their first two games of the pre-season tour, 4-0 against Liverpool and 4-1 against Melbourne Victory.
They face Crystal Palace here tomorrow.
He also made three new signings with the arrival of Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.
The club continues to work on the signing of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.
Ten Hag is set to entertain United fans who have become disillusioned and believe the style they like will come, but insist winning is the most important thing.
He said: “We want to play proactive, attacking football where possible. We want to play well, but if we don’t play well, we still have to win.
“I wanted to bring a certain way of playing, it won’t happen when we finish pre-season, but when we finish pre-season we have to get results.”
If the players don’t, he may not pull out the hair dryer, but don’t doubt that the Ten Hag’s wrath will be unleashed.
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