Erik: The new United way is to surprise

 Erik ten Hag's message ahead of the 2023/24 season is clear.

The boss was speaking during his exclusive interview with MUTV while on Manchester United's tour of the United States, as the Reds gear up to face Arsenal in New Jersey on Saturday (22:00 BST), live on the official club channel.

United made much progress under the Dutchman last term, getting back into the Champions League, and Erik has already started adding players to his squad ahead of the new campaign.

Andre Onana has followed Mason Mount through the entrance door to our football club, with the Cameroonian goalkeeper's acquisition being announced on Thursday.

Now, as we approach our first game of four in the USA, against Arsenal, the boss says fans can expect a "dynamic" and "aggressive" performance against the Gunners.

"[The messages I am sending to my players are] that we want to do it in the United way. What is the United Way? So what is our identity? And we want to be really successful in that particular style.

"So we really looked into the history of Manchester United and we really looked also into the qualities of our players. And then you can say, so what do we want to be? That is, we want to be the best transition team in the world. We want to surprise. We want to play dynamic [football], we want to play with speed and we want to play aggressive out of a very good team spirit. So that is United.

"And I think already, last year, we have seen that version, we have seen it across small games, we have seen it in big games. We showed we can beat all the opponents, all the good opponents in the world, but we have to do it on a consistent basis and I think that is a huge challenge for us to go all together in that battle.

"So [together] with the players and together with the staff, with everyone around and in Manchester United, but also with the fans. So I'm really looking forward to the season."

Erik added that his side are aiming for silverware in the coming campaign, but must maintain high standards consistently if we are to achieve our lofty ambitions.

"That consistency is so important," he declared. That is the demand on every player and on every team performance.

"We have to get that in, because we proved we can do it against every opposition in the world, but now we have to do it every time.

"And this is a massive challenge for everyone. It's a massive test, but we are looking forward and to that high challenge.

"We have to build a very strong construction and a belief in that squad and a determination that we are capable to win everything and to win big trophies.

"That is what we are aiming for."

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