Erik ten Hag already appears to be making his mark and whipping his new Manchester United players into shape after insightful footage emerged of the Dutchman conducting training drills.
While United have been slow to get going in the transfer market, with a move for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong in particular having become something of a slog, Ten Hag appears to have made a swift start on the training pitch. The former Ajax coach may only be leading his first week of Red Devils' drills, but it seems the early signs are promising.
United took the somewhat unusual approach of sharing some behind-the-scenes footage on their social media on Wednesday, but the insight has provided the club's fans with much optimism. Ten Hag can be seen fully immersing himself into training at United's Carrington complex while the murmurings coming out of the club are particularly positive.
Within the 11-second teaser of United's pre-season training, Ten Hag could clearly be seen dictating the session – something his predecessors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick were criticised for not doing. The pair often delegated duties to other coaches and were said to be reluctant to interject – which United's new manager doesn't appear afraid of doing.
Ten Hag's hands-on approach has been telling and a stark contrast to those who sat in the Old Trafford hot-seat before him. Solskjaer, for example, would merely observe as the likes of Kieran McKenna, Michael Carrick and Mike Phelan oversaw the sessions at Carrington.
The clip showcased Ten Hag leading a well-organised drill in which players were encouraged to pass and move at speed. While the Dutchman took up the role of orchestrator-in-chief, he was ably assisted by his recently-appointed second-in-command, the returning Steve McClaren, and fellow lieutenant Mitchell van der Gaag.
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Within the footage, McClaren could be heard demanding players focusing on the "detail" while Van der Gaag encouraged United's current crop to offer "support". Eric Ramsay, who has been promoted to a more prominent coaching role within the first-team fold, has also been instrumental on the training pitch. These may only be the early days of the Ten Hag tenure, but the changes are evidently noticeable.
The understanding is that the club's early pre-season preparations have sought to address an apparent fear of United's squad to get on the ball and remain calm in possession. According to Sky Sports, multiple United sources have highlighted just how immersive Ten Hag has been within training this week and how determined he is to ensure the player's currently at his disposal are confident on the ball.
While Rangnick's sessions, by contrast, were thought to have been vague and laboured, Ten Hag's appear well-organised and well-directed, with the Dutchman unafraid to offer up detailed advice and guidance, such is his perfectionist ways. One of United's senior stars referred to the sessions as "intense – not just on the body but the mind," adding of Ten Hag: "He wants you to think, think, think."
Another adjustment which has been made to the running of the club has been the expectation that United's first-team players arrive promptly at the complex before 9am – a stipulation which was previously only required of youth team members. And Ten Hag is thought to have been pleased with how the squad have responded to such changes as an air of enthusiasm appears to be spreading.
As work continues on securing reinforcements, with deals now in place for De Jong and Feyenoord full-back Tyrell Malacia, Ten Hag has made a start on shaping the remains of a squad which struggled significantly last season. New signings were always expected in the summer, but the appointment of the ex-Ajax boss was also made with a view to seeing the Dutchman get the best out of an underperforming selection of players brimming with talent.
These may only be early days in Ten Hag's tenure, but the signs appear promising from a United perspective. Change was demanded of the Dutchman when he arrived, and change is exactly what he's delivering.
