Incoming Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly laid out a series of ‘core principles’ that the Red Devils squad must stick to during his tenure.
The Dutchman was finally confirmed as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s permanent successor earlier this year having left Ajax, Ralf Rangnick also stepping back from his interim role at Old Trafford.
There is hope that ten Hag will be the man to potentially restore the Red Devils to their former glories with the 2021/22 season ending in disaster. It represented their worst Premier League points haul in club history, whilst a challenge for the Champions League spots never really materialised over the final few months of Rangnick’s tenure.
However, ten Hag will reportedly install a number of core principles at Old Trafford in an effort to get the squad back on track ahead of the new campaign. According to The Times, a source close to the Dutchman has suggested that he demands high energy, attacking football with a consistent press.
Meanwhile, he is also hoping that the new playing style can get the best out of the star players at the club, having demanded consistent performances from them each week. Whilst ten Hag is also hoping to harness the technical and athletic ability already present at Old Trafford, he also wants the squad to be far more mentally resilient and robust.
During his introductory press conference, the Dutchman revealed his attitude towards how the players are meant to work whilst also hinting that he is aiming to emulate the success of his Ajax side - the Amsterdam giants having impressed in both the Eredivisie and the Champions League during his spell at the helm.
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"I think we have to work and we have to set clear purposes, clear strategy and then you need people who have capabilities, and have the right attitude, a positive attitude," he said. “One hundred per cent committed and work hard and then we will achieve success.
"Maybe you have seen Ajax? And I like that. But it is always players who dictate the way of play. I have the ideal, I will line up my best team, and I will line up my players like that to get the best out of them. That they can go to the maximum, that they feel comfortable in the role and in the end it's about getting the success together.”
The 52-year-old’s rebuild at Old Trafford already appears to have started with still a few weeks to go until the summer transfer window opens. The Red Devils have already announced the exits of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard at the end of their respective deals.
Meanwhile, a number of other players are expected to leave including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Eric Bailly, whilst Lee Grant, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani will also all not be at ten Hag’s disposal next season.
