Ten Hag's message for fans ahead of season

Only a late Aston Villa equaliser denied the Reds a flawless record in the four games in Thailand and Australia and, while it is still very early days in his reign, there are clear signs Ten Hag's methods are having a positive effect, particularly on the interplay going forwards.

With the entire Red Army eagerly anticipating the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign, two games come first next weekend - Atletico Madrid in Oslo on Saturday before a first sight of a full Old Trafford crowd for the manager, with Rayo Vallecano providing the opposition on Sunday.

Both games are live on the United App, MUTV and ManUtd.com but, for now, Ten Hag and his team are on their way back to Manchester.

The club's incredible backing is something that fills the Dutchman with a sense of pride and purpose.

"I think it [the support] was incredible," he told club media at the Optus Stadium. "It was a really fantastic experience with so many fans all over the world. They support us and it will help us in the season to know they are behind us. So many fans, we have to give them [something] back and we will work hard for that."

Ten Hag is keen his side iron out any errors before the Premier League curtain-raiser against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday 7 August.

"Football is a sport of mistakes and we have to decrease the mistakes," he told the press after the 2-2 draw with Villa. "That's clear, but we will. I have seen a lot of progress in these two weeks.

"It can be that the guys are tired but that's not an excuse. I don't want to make excuses about the pitch or weather. No matter what, we have to perform."

Next weekend's Spanish double-header will be shown live on MUTV, now available in our app and on ManUtd.com.