Luke Shaw says Manchester United 's players are relishing the new-found intensity under new boss Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag has pushed United's players mentally and physically since taking charge, with double training sessions and tactical meetings on how they should play. England defender Shaw, 27, admitted United needed a fresh start after last season's dismal showing, when they finished sixth with their worst points total of the Premier League era.
Ten Hag has placed huge demands on United's squad and Shaw said the only way the club will challenge for the big prizes again is if they buy fully into his philosophy.
"The manager demands more and we have to be better and better," said Shaw. "He’s spoken a lot about the team, the structure and the way he wants to play. It’s a lot of details, but details win games and with his philosophy and the way he wants to play, we need to listen."
Reflecting on last season, Shaw admitted United fell short of the standard expected and conceded he must be more consistent on an individual basis. "Last season was very disappointing, not just as a team but also individually for me," he added.
"It wasn’t what people expect or what I expect and I think this season is another fresh start. Now it’s time for me to keep consistency and keep higher levels of performance week in, week out, which I’ve spoken to the manager about already and that’s what he wants.
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"It’s not where the club should be and we know the levels have had to take a massive step up in terms of higher intensity and what we’re supposed to be doing. I think from the start of the last two weeks, especially in training, it’s definitely a big improvement.
"Even in the games, I think you could see things that probably you haven’t seen before, so I think there are things to look forward to. The manager knows what the team needs, he has his own style and how he wants to manage and all the players have really taken it on board.
"He's very hands-on and he takes a lot of the sessions. He’s involved a lot and if he sees people aren’t hitting the standards that he wants in training, he’ll make sure they know. I think that’s good, because he keeps the standards high. There's still much more to come from us and this is only the start."
