Erik ten Hag urges Man Utd players to improve fitness level first thing

The United players were originally due to return on July 4, around six weeks after their last game of the 2021/22 season against Crystal Palace.

However, Mirror Sport report that Ten Hag is unfazed by the Red Devils’ level of fitness and wants the squad he inherits back at the Carrington training ground for the week beginning June 20.

The current Ajax manager is said to have watched United’s recent games, including the humiliating 4-0 defeat to Brighton last Saturday, and believes one of the main reasons behind their terrible performances this season is their lack of fitness .

The Dutchman believes that two extra weeks of intense fitness work and better general condition will put them in better shape so they can adapt to the demands of his style of football.

Ten Hag is known for his attacking pressing tactics, which is very different from the counterattacking style United’s players have become accustomed to after playing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho.

While these measures may seem extreme, following the appointment of Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte respectively, Liverpool and Tottenham players were also subjected to much tougher fitness regimens, resulting in a significant improvement in results and performance.

Ten Hag’s plans are also helped by the absence of international tournaments this summer as the World Cup in Qatar takes place in November and December.

If everything goes according to plan, Ten Hag will have his United team in much better shape when the 2022/23 season begins on August 6.

Until then, the club currently have four pre-season games scheduled as part of a pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia in July, where they will play Liverpool, Melbourne Victory, Palace and Aston Villa.

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