At eight o’clock on Monday morning, the starting shot was fired for the next chapter in Manchester United’s future. Erik ten Hag had already spent one week at Carrington before the summer holidays, but the first proper meeting with the team took place this Monday.
The first thing the manager did, after giving a thumbs up to the MUTV camera, was to gather the 28 players in a ring. Flanked by Steve McClaren and Mitchell van der Gaag, Ten Hag explained that success in the 2022/23 season depends on the players.
A few months earlier, football director John Murtough said in a meeting with United fans that Ten Hag would naturally get reinforcements, but that he is just as concerned with realizing the potential of the players who are already in the locker room.
– Even if you had a bad season, it does not mean that you are bad players, was the message from Ten Hag to David de Gea, Victor Lindelöf, Marcus Rashford and the rest of the gang that was present at Carrington, according to ESPN.
The Dutchman’s first training week has been a mixture of long, tough training and good mood.
Next week, stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Raphaël Varane will join the squad, as the players who played international matches in June are expected back, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Most likely, players will return on different dates.
Basically, the players will have three weeks holiday after the season’s last national team gathering, but if they wish, they can show up earlier.
Alejandro Garnacho, for example, lined up this week, even though he has been to the Argentina gathering.
A total of 13 players are expected back: Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Raphaël Varane, Diogo Dalot, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, Scott McTominay, James Garner, Fred, Hannibal Mejbri, Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Elanga.
In addition, it is not inconceivable that both Frenkie de Jong and Tyrell Malacia can join the squad as soon as the transfers are a fact.
Listen in 🗣#MUFC pic.twitter.com/tMxwSfBGL6
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 29, 2022
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