Ten Hag: Awards treble was a team effort
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag made a point of assembling his squad for a special photo on Friday, following the presentation of three Premier League awards at Carrington.
The boss, Harry Maguire and Alejandro Garnacho were the respective recipients of the top flight's Manager, Player and Goal of the Month accolades, after a successful November in which the Reds racked up the maximum tally of nine points.
Victories were recorded at home to Luton Town and away to Fulham and Everton - Garnacho netted his award-winning strike in the latter game - and clean sheets were kept in all three fixtures.
When asked by club media if any of those performances stood out in particular, Erik replied: "No, I think what stands out is the way we are working. The way we are developing and progressing."
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ArticleA perfect November for the Reds in the Premier League has seen the boss recognised.
Ten Hag told his players, when gathering them together for the above photo, that individual honours such as those awarded to himself, Alejandro and Harry today are not possible without the co-operation of the entire squad.
"I think that winning these three awards refers to something we are doing as a team," he added, in an exclusive interview you can watch on club media tomorrow (Saturday).
"That's very good. It is something we can take belief from. We can also take inspiration from it, and believe that we are heading in the right direction. That must now give energy to everyone."
The 22 players in the image all trained on Friday, as United prepared for this Saturday's clash with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. The objective is to build on Wednesday's excellent 2-1 win over Chelsea, a result that left the Reds just three points behind the side currently occupying fourth place, Manchester City.
Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia all missed the session as they continue their recoveries from injury.
Also absent from training and therefore the awards photo were Marcus Rashford, due to illness, and Victor Lindelof, who is recovering from a knock that led to him being substituted at half-time against Chelsea.
The manager confirmed to club media that his Swedish centre-back will miss the Bournemouth game but Raphael Varane is ready to return.