McTominay: Everyone’s so happy with the new coach

The Reds overcame a stern test from A-League side Melbourne Victory, who sat deep following their early opener and made the Reds work for any openings. 

Those chances did come however, and it was McTominay who got United on level terms at the MCG, before strikes from Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, plus an Edmond Lupancu own goal, maintained our 100 per cent record from two pre-season matches.

Scott explained that the contest with the Australian outfit will benefit Ten Hag’s men in the long run, as it provided a first real opportunity to implement the new manager’s ideas against a team that were happy to regroup off the ball rather than counter-press.

“Whenever you’ve got a new manager, there’s a lot of new ideas, a lot of things we have to take on board in terms of what the manager wants from us, a slightly different formation as well and different ideas, which is important,” McTominay explained.

“We need to dial into them, and I think tonight is a good test in terms of the team that we’re playing against.

“They played a little bit deeper, it’s harder to break down, [so we have to come up with] different ideas and ways that we can get into their box and create scoring opportunities. 

“Everyone’s so, so happy with the new coach in terms of the detail and attention to the work that we’re doing, and everyone’s so fit now. And we can get fitter, I can get fitter, the whole team can, which is obviously a benefit for the future as well.”

McTominay went on to explain how United worked around the Victory’s defensive effort, with patience being key.

“They were very organised in terms of the two blocks they had; they were difficult to get through in the middle of the pitch.

“We had quite a lot of bodies between the lines and that forced us to go to the sides. I think that’s the best way to break teams down when they play a five [in defence].

“The manager said that at half-time. We kept patience, we didn’t panic, in terms of going 1-0 down.

“There’s things we can improve on and we’re looking forward to it as well.”

Our no.39 references that there are things that we can get better at, while one thing the Reds have evidently been working on so far this summer is getting more players into the penalty area during attacks. 

That was clear to see during our latest win and it’s something that Ten Hag is keen to see in his United side, as Scott explains.

“It’s cutbacks, it’s getting in the box, all of us, not just myself. I know I can score more goals and it’s all the players.

“The manager wants more players in the box, which is where you score goals and that’s the most important thing.

“For us, the level of detail which he’s talking about is so easy to understand as well and that’s probably one of the most benefitting things in terms of pre-season, because all of his ideas can come at once and we can take them on board as well.”

HOW TO WATCH UNITED V CRYSTAL PALACE

Our next fixture is once again in Australia, on Tuesday (19 July), when we will take on Crystal Palace at 11:10 BST.

The full game will be shown live* on MUTV, which is now available on ManUtd.com and in the United App. Coverage starts one hour before kick-off.

MUTV will also be showing short and extended match highlights before anyone else, as well as the full match replay. So what are you waiting for? Visit MUTV now.

*MUTV's live coverage of this game will not be available in Australia due to domestic broadcast rights.*