Erik: I'm here to create adventurous football
Erik ten Hag has fleshed out his vision for a successful Manchester United team, explaining that he wants his side to "win in a certain way".
The Reds boast a strong tradition of playing exciting, attacking football, dating back to Sir Matt Busby's sides of the 1950s – if not before – so supporters will be delighted to hear the Dutchman's words.
Ten Hag joined the Reds from Ajax, another club that promotes a proudly positive brand of football, and the new manager wants to continue to entertain at Old Trafford.
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When a journalist at Friday's press conference asked Erik whether he understood United's responsibility to attack and excite, Ten Hag smiled:
“You are talking like a Dutchman, eh! They always want to play brilliant football! But that's why I am here: I like it that you want to win, and you want to win it in a certain way, so [being] proactive, brave, adventure.
“That is what belongs to the culture of Man United, and we want to bring it in.”
However, Ten Hag was clear that if the team could not win by producing scintillating football, winning was still the ultimate requirement.
“At the end of the day, if you cannot win in a good way or an entertaining way, you still have to win. That is the mentality and the attitude that we have to bring in.
“Of course, there will be games where you will not play well – but you still have to win.”
Part one | Erik's press conference v Brighton Video
Part one | Erik's press conference v Brighton
Press conference | Get the latest news and views from Ten Hag ahead of Saturday's Premier League opener...
The boss also believes United's fans can help develop the team into a fighting, winning machine, but accepted that the players need to inspire them first.
“I think that is clear [that the fans can assist]. The stadium I think is meant to bring fight and co-operation,” he stressed.
“But we have to give the example out on the pitch: we must have the right attitude, and that attitude means hard work, but also especially it means being brave.
“If we bring that commitment then I think they [the fans] will like it and they will bring the fight back.”
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