Erik ten Hag says his Manchester United players need to be more “nasty” and develop a more streetwise attitude.
Ten Hag wants his United side to play with more edge, but wants them to be smarter with it, after complaining they have picked up too many bookings.
United have accumulated 23 yellow cards already this season in the Premier League, with only Nottingham Forest and Fulham having amassed more. While Ten Hag wants his players to remain physical, he has urged them to be smarter when it comes to tackling opponents – starting with tomorrow night's trip to Everton.
“I know nasty, I know what it is,” said Ten Hag. “In that manner we can progress sometimes - also play a little bit smarter. Like we have too many bookings. Some, at the start of the Premier League, play tough, but I wonder why we collect so many bookings and I don't understand. Like the first booking against Manchester City last Sunday, I really don't understand.
“We want to play tough, we want to keep the game going, and then in the second minute already it's a booking for Diogo Dalot. Clear, it was a foul, but then get booked? Also, I saw many other bookings where I thought 'is that necessary?' But also take it to the players. I have to keep reminding them to play smart but they have to play nasty as well.”
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Ten Hag wants his United to show more consistency and admitted last weekend's 6-3 derby mauling at Manchester City showed the standard his players need to reach. “It's physical, it's mental, it's also sustainability, it's like a routine, a way of life and you have to bring it every time in training, as a squad and an individual player,” said Ten Hag. “It's not something you build in a week or a month, now it's a system that has to be and a demand nowadays top football – and it's quite clear City is the standard in that.
“There are more teams. But I think we can deliver that - we've seen it against Liverpool and we've seen it against Arsenal, but now we have to do it on a consistent basis." Raphael Varane, who came off injured against City and missed the 3-2 win away to Omonia, could return at Goodison Park. Ten Hag said: “Varane has made progress and I hope he's available, but I think it will be close. From the other players, Harry Maguire is not, then it's Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek, both are also not available.”
