Manchester United duo Diogo Dalot and Anthony Elanga have both been made very aware of the extra demands being placed on the squad by new manager Erik ten Hag, but the pair agree it's on the squad to work hard.
Ten Hag was confirmed as Ralf Rangnick's permanent successor in April, and United's pre-season games against Liverpool and Melbourne Victory - coupled with some intense training sessions - have given players a taste of things to come. One of the changes has seen some intense drills, which come as the squad looks to boost its fitness levels ahead of the Premier League season.
Luke Shaw has already spoken of the team's efforts to improve after a challenging campaign under Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before him. There are efforts to improve the mentality around the club after United slumped to a sixth-place finish, but Elanga and Dalot have both pointed to the physical requirements as well.
“I think we're even fitter this season, running for the team, running off the ball and running with the ball," Elanga said during the Red Devils' pre-season tour. "That element of running and pressing is really important.
"That’s one of the things the manager has brought into the team and we are really buying into it. I feel like the whole team can press. It’s all in the mind - if you want to do it, you can do it. It’s a new style that we’ve got. It’s different now.”
The results so far have been eye-catching, with United beating an experimental Liverpool team 4-0 and then winning 4-1 against their Australian opponents. By way of contrast, United only scored four times in a single game once under Rangnick.
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Dalot is among the players desperate to impress the new boss in order to keep his starting spot. The right-back was on loan at AC Milan in the 2020-21 season but returned last term to make 30 appearances in all competitions - a high point for him as a United player.
However, with competition from within the club - as well as potential new arrivals - he'll need to buy into Ten Hag's methods to remain first choice. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Ethan Laird are also both part of the touring squad, while the likes of Denzel Dumfries have been linked with an Old Trafford move.
"He is very demanding," the Portuguese international told reporters in Melbourne. "He wants very high pressing, very proactive football, with a lot of intensity.
"It is very clear, every time he speaks, what he wants from us. He is very strict in the way he sees football and we want to adapt. It will take time, but we are trying our best to do it quickly because we want to be ready for the start of the season."
