Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has set out the aims of the pre-season tour and how he wants his team to play.
United have jetted off to Thailand for the start of their tour today. On Tuesday, United will face Liverpool in their pre-season opener before facing Melbourne Victory three days later.
Ten Hag has named a 31-man squad for the tour, with the main notable absence being Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese ace has been missing from training due to 'family reasons' and it was announced on Thursday that he had been given additional time off.
ALSO READ: Ten Hag issues damning claim on United transfer credentials
However, the Dutchman is fully focused on the coming weeks with his squad and explained to MUTV his goals for the tour. "I have to learn, to know my squad, the personnel, the individuals, the players," he said.
"That is, I think, one of the biggest advantages from the tour. We have two weeks to work really close together and we will learn about each other because I want to learn about them and they want to learn about me, my coaches and assistants."
The bulk of United's players have now spent almost two weeks with Ten Hag and his backroom staff training at Carrington. And the former Ajax manager is keen to implement his style of football on the team and he want on to explain how that will look.
"We want to play a proactive style of football," Ten Hag added. "On the ball and off the ball.
"Trying to do that has to be our intention. The coaches bring it over to the team that we are, in every situation, proactive.
"We are brave and willing to have the ball, to give each other options. But also off the ball, to get the pressing style is what we’re working for together."
The 52-year-old concluded by praising his players, stating: "Of course, I want to bring the energy in my team. But I must say, the players do really well.
"They are really focused. They bring, for themselves, the energy.
"You see they enjoy playing football. They enjoy playing football together and they really work well together."
READ NEXT:
