Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay says the club's players have already bought into new boss Erik ten Hag’s philosophy.
Dutchman Ten Hag has been working closely with United’s players for the past two weeks, putting them through intense training sessions and telling them the style he wants to play in a bid to revive the Premier League side's fortunes after their struggles on the pitch in recent seasons.
The former Ajax boss is hands-on in training, often stopping sessions to explain a particular detail or pattern of play, with McTominay revealing United’s players have been receptive to his methods and management style.
United's players were critical of the intense methods employed by interim boss Ralf Rangnick last season, but McTominay indicated the club's players are on board with Ten Hag's plans. “He's got an idea of the way he wants to play, and he executes it really, really well in terms of getting across to the players,” said McTominay.
“It’s the same with [assistant coach] Mitchell [van der Gaag]. The philosophy and the ideas of the style of play for us [are] clear to see. It's up to us as players now to really take the message on board and push with everything we’ve got, all year. As the manager reiterated, we’re here to work hard. We’re not here to go and sightsee and see all of Thailand. It's time to work and it's really time to focus for sure.”
Ten Hag inherited a squad, devoid of confidence, which finished sixth last term - with United's worst ever Premier League points total. The Dutchman has been tasked with turning around their fortunes and was hired in the summer ahead of the likes of Mauricio Pochettino. Ten Hag has wasted no time in making it clear what he expects.
And Scotland international McTominay has bought into Ten Hag wants from the his players and has spoken of his optimism ahead of the season opener against Brighton and Hove Albion. Former England boss boss Steve McClaren and Mitchell van der Gaag have been working as Ten Hag's assistants on the tour and they've made a positive impression.
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United's players have had very little time off this summer but McTominay claimed he is in good condition as players adapt to Ten Hag's methods. He added: "I feel good, I feel refreshed. We only had two and a half weeks off so you can't go blowing the gasket too quick. You need to make sure you've had enough rest and make sure you've got enough time in the legs to properly recover, but obviously there's a chance to make your body stronger.
"I feel fit and getting over the time difference here, we're looking forward to a good week in terms of the games that we've got coming up and the training as well. I think all of the players are more than locked in to do their jobs for the new coach, for sure. We're really looking forward to what's to come because the way the coaches have presented their ideas to all the players and all the staff is very promising for sure."
