Talking points from Ten Hag's first week

Saturday 02 July 2022 14:00

The long wait finally ended this week when we were able to see Manchester United players begin pre-season training under new manager Erik ten Hag.

Many members of the squad reported back to Carrington on Monday and have since put in the effort on the training pitches, under the instruction of the Dutchman and his coaching staff. 

With further senior players set to join up with the group and Tour 2022 commencing with a flight out of Manchester on Friday, next week is set to be another exciting one at United. 

But before we move on, here are the biggest talking points we picked out from the first five days of our 2022/23 pre-season programme…
Training highlights: Hard work x good vibes Video

Training highlights: Hard work x good vibes

Training highlights | Thursday's session mixed ball work with running, hard work and good vibes...

POSITIVE VIBES 

If you have had the chance to watch any of our training videos or a flick through our galleries from Carrington, you will have seen some big smiles from our players and the sense of a feelgood factor. Our players have come back from their holidays looking refreshed and energised ahead of the new campaign; pairing this with the start of a new era and the chance to impress has certainly given off a positive vibe on the training pitch this week.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL 

Also frequently seen in those videos and galleries on ManUtd.com and the United App has been a focused new manager, assessing his squad in person for the first time. Ten Hag, alongside his assistants Steve McClaren and Mitchell van der Gaag, has spent plenty of time getting to know his players this week and often has been seen passing on instructions. The Dutchman has a reputation for being a perfectionist and it appears he is already paying close attention to each and every detail in his new role.

MIXING YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE 

While several senior players are still to return from their breaks due to being involved in June’s international fixtures, the training squad has so far been made up of a mix of youth and experience. It will have no doubt been an invaluable opportunity for Ten Hag to get information on a wide scope of Reds from different levels at the club, while it will have been an amazing opportunity for many of our youngsters to impress the new boss and learn from a number of their more experienced colleagues. It has been a particularly memorable week for both Zidane Iqbal and Will Fish, who both put pen-to-paper on new contracts as well as being involved in the sessions.

FITNESS AND BALL WORK

The opening sessions have appeared energetic, with the participants demonstrating enthusiasm for the work.

Training has comprised a mix of physical exercise and work on the ball, enabling our players to build both fitness and sharpness from the outset in pre-season.

Our video footage has shown how eager Ten Hag's charges are to put the effort in now, knowing the correct preparation could prove vital for the campaign ahead. 

A NEW LOOK

Another source for the fresh feel at Carrington this week has been the club's new training attire.

The blue and orange colour scheme is one that certainly looks good on the eye, not least when the kit is being worn in action on the pitch.

Orange, of course, is a familiar colour for followers of football in the Netherlands, which seems rather fitting as the new boss settles in.

More from week one: