Erik ten Hag spent his recent time off relaxing and playing golf as well as preparing for the second half of Manchester United's season.
Ten Hag granted the members of his United squad who didn't travel to Qatar to represent their nations in the World Cup a couple of weeks off last month, with the Premier League being suspended while the tournament is underway. Now the Dutchman has taken those senior stars not in the Middle East and a host of academy prospects for a spot of warm-weather training before his side returns to action on December 22.
United will take on Cadiz on Wednesday in a friendly before facing Real Betis while in Spain to prepare for the Carabao Cup clash with Burnley and the return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest. Though he has used the break to spend time with his family, Ten Hag has also been planning the rest of the campaign.
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"Yes, an unusual season," he told MUTV. "Normally, in England, there is no break. I am used to it in the Dutch league as there is always a winter break but not that early. So, yeah, we decided we put some load in before, now we had a break and then, after, we put some load in and prepare for the second season.
"You are with your family, in your house, and then also the time is to meet friends and to meet family, also do some other things. Not only think about football but also prepare for the second season, even more than the second season as we’ve played 14 games in the Premier League."
The manager was then asked if he hit the golf course while away. "I try. I do some things – jogging and play golf," he added.
"No. But I practise. In the break, I practise. Golf is only practice, practice. As a manager, I don’t have time to practice so I would prefer some time to play golf but, at this moment, I prefer to be a manager."
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