Scott McTominay impressed by Erik ten Hag’s vision to rebuild Manchester United as they prepare to kick pre-season up a gear with Bangkok friendly against old rivals Liverpool
- Manchester United play Liverpool on Tuesday in first pre-season fixture
- New manager Erik ten Hag has been imparting his vision to the players
- Midfielder Scott McTominay has been impressed by the Dutchman’s clarity
Scott McTominay has been impressed with the clarity of Erik ten Hag’s playing philosophy as the new Manchester United manager works to revive the club.
The Scottish midfielder is currently on tour with United in the Far East, with United set to take on old rivals Liverpool in a Bangkok friendly on Tuesday.
One criticism of Ten Hag’s predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was that the team lacked a clearly defined style of football.
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay (centre) has been impressed with Erik ten Hag’s clarity of vision in rebuilding the club
There were doubts over McTominay’s United future as they seek another defensive midfielders but Ten Hag appears to want him as part of his plans
But McTominay, whose regular starting place in the midfield will be under threat if United close a deal for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, says the players are buying into Ten Hag’s vision.
‘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,’ McTominay told United Daily.
‘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.’
New manager Ten Hag has enjoyed time on the training ground with his new squad in Thailand
With United actively pursuing a new defensive midfielder this summer, 25-year-old McTominay had been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, with Newcastle United one of the clubs linked.
But Ten Hag has reportedly made clear that McTominay remains important to his plans for the forthcoming campaign as he tries to rebuild an ailing United team into trophy challengers.
Given that Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic have left the club this summer, and negotiations over De Jong are moving at a glacial pace, Ten Hag was really left with little choice.
McTominay added: ‘[You have] that energy from last year. All that energy should be put now into the new one.
United are pursuing the Barcelona and Holland midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer
‘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.’
United will play Liverpool in front of a sell-out crowd at the Rajamangala Stadium before heading off to Australia for a further three friendly games.
