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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Daniel Orme

6 things noticed from Man Utd training including Erik ten Hag's "f****** rubbish" blast

Manchester United are currently in the midst of their first pre-season under Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman is attempting to get the Red Devils suitably prepared for their first Premier League match of the season with a number of pre-season clashes already having come and gone. After another success against Crystal Palace last time out, their next assignment is another Premier League side in the form of Aston Villa at the weekend.

Ahead of that game, United hosted an open training session at Perth’s famous WACA Ground. With that being said, here are a few things Mirror Sport spotted from the side’s latest venture onto the training pitch.

Ten Hag’s fury at youngster

Ever since Ten Hag arrived at Man Utd, he was expected to start implementing a possession-based style of play. That has certainly been evident from the Red Devils’ first few friendlies.

The Dutchman is continuing to push that style in training with youngster Zidane Iqbal on the harsh end of his new manager’s disappointment when things did not quite go as planned in Perth. Ten Hag urged the academy graduate to “keep the ball” and when he didn’t do that, he was left incensed.

He was pictured bellowing the words “f****** rubbish” at Iqbal before the training session continued.

One unhappy United boss: Ten Hag (BeanymanSports/Youtube)

Where do you think Man Utd will finish in the Premier League this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Concentration a buzzword

One aspect that let the Red Devils down throughout large swaths of the 2021/22 season under Ralf Rangnick was an array of individual mistakes. It appears that Ten Hag is attempting to eliminate those errors.

During clips of the training staff, the Dutchman and his coaching staff were regularly heard shouting “concentrate” at the squad during various small-sided games. That message will likely be continued to be hammered home until between now and the end of the season.

Whether that bears the fruit for the Red Devils with regards to the Premier League table remains to be seen.

Erik ten Hag appears to be getting his message across to his Man Utd players (Getty Images)

Varane back in full training

One big boost that the side have received ahead of their clash with Aston Villa is last summer’s marquee defensive signing Raphael Varane returning to contention.

The Frenchman has missed the last two pre-season games with a small niggle but is now back in full training. Varane had a somewhat inconsistent first season at Old Trafford so will be hoping that he can continue improving his fitness ahead of the big kick-off in just over a fortnights’ time.

Raphael Varane looks ready to take a full part in pre-season after his injury worries (Getty Images)

Boo boys silent for Maguire

Varane’s defensive colleague - Harry Maguire - has endured a strange pre-season schedule. The Red Devils’ skipper has started in each of the last two games and was on the end of some questionable boos against Crystal Palace last time out.

The former Leicester City man eventually managed to get supporters onside at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with an accomplished showing - albeit against a depleted Palace line-up.

Harry Maguire enjoyed a warm welcome in Perth (Getty Images)

With fans allowed to be in attendance for the latest training session, there was plenty of intrigue over whether Maguire’s reception would be as hostile. Thankfully, the England man was welcomed with open arms as he received a cheer and applause from supporters - the defender then finding time to recognise their support with a thumbs up.

Martial looking to continue hot form

One of the Red Devils’ standout players so far ahead of the season has been French striker Anthony Martial. The former Monaco man was sent out on loan to Sevilla during the second-half of last-term and endured a miserable time in Spain.

As a result, he was expected to leave Old Trafford permanently this summer. His performances might well see Erik ten Hag change his mind.

With Martial having netted in each of his last three games, the striker was seen sharpening his shooting boots once more and will be hopeful of that work seeing him able to find the back of the net once more against Aston Villa.

Martial is in good form (FAITH MORAN/MEGA)
Team joker: Bruno Fernandes (Getty Images)

Fernandes the joker

Whilst there is of course a serious nature to the Red Devils’ pre-season trip to Australia, there is still time for a few jovial moments. Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes appears to be one of those to be bringing the fun to the Red Devils’ camp.

He was pictured sharing jokes with the likes of Martial, David de Gea and more members of the Red Devils’ squad. It’s certainly a encouraging sign to see the the squad surrounded by such positivity ahead of Ten Hag’s first campaign in charge.

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