Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd's pressing following pre-season win

Ten Hag has discussed tactics
Ten Hag has discussed tactics / Matthew Ashton - AMA/GettyImages
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Erik ten Hag has given an insight into how he wants his Manchester United team to play, stating that his players need to improve the 'timing' of their pressing.

Ten Hag's side have impressed in their first few pre-season games, beating Crystal Palace, Melbourne City and thumping Liverpool 4-0 during their tour of Australia.

Speaking after a comfortable 3-1 win over Palace in Melbourne, Ten Hag discussed how his team can improve going into the 2022/23 Premier League season, stating (via the club's official website): "The timing. When you start the press. For instance, I see still switches we can avoid and we can prepare a better press.

"And I think, also on the ball, we play well but you see, in the end, when it's 2-0 or 3-0 up, the belief is increasing. And then, also on the ball, we can delay and we can postpone and we can fight opponents so they come out and we can speed up."

The new Man Utd manager also discussed his new club's pre-season form in general, saying:

"I think it's pre-season and we are happy with the improvement we see but also you see a lot of work to do. We scored some wonderful goals and that is also true.

"I agree [that we are winning the ball higher up in the field in dangerous positions] and that is also the demand on the team. We press all day and, if we can, do that high up the pitch. But if we can't, we get to do that in a lower block but we also have to press and do it together as a team."