The choice of Manchester United to retain Erik ten Hag as manager significantly hinges on the Dutchman’s ability to cultivate a solid rapport with the club’s new leadership team.
While addressing the media between training sessions on Friday, Ten Hag sought to eliminate any remaining concerns about the discussions that Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford and United’s new technical director Jason Wilcox had with potential candidates for his position at the conclusion of the previous season.
‘We are in a new season now,’ Ten Hag stated. ‘We have moved on from the past and are excited about the future. It’s a wonderful project. Our goal is to collaborate, work hard, and secure victories. I cannot achieve this alone. With the players, staff, and leadership all unified, I am confident we will achieve even greater success. This is a new dynamic, and our objective is to win more trophies.’
Thus, it was noteworthy to observe Ten Hag engaged in a lengthy discussion with Brailsford, Wilcox, and the new sporting director of United, Dan Ashworth, for about 15 minutes following training at the UCLA university campus on Friday evening. The effectiveness of this new dynamic will be pivotal for the club’s future prospects.
Erik ten Hag will need a good bond with Manchester United’s leadership group to keep his job
A good relationship with new sporting director Dan Ashworth will be pivotal moving forward
Players Enjoy Rooftop Pool in Beverly Hills
The players have been taking advantage of the rooftop pool at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills for some post-training relaxation.
While the hotel might not be as close to the glitzy attractions and fashion boutiques of Rodeo Drive as the Beverly Wilshire or Montage, which have previously hosted the team, it remains a stunning location.
Ten Hag generously gave his players Thursday afternoon off, prompting a group of British players to embark on a shopping excursion. Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Jonny Evans, and Tom Heaton traveled the mile and a half from the United hotel to Rodeo Drive.
One advantage of touring the United States for the squad is the liberty it grants to players to stroll around without the threat of being overwhelmed by fans, a rarity in many other regions.
Manchester United’s stars have been unwinding at the rooftop pool at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California
Alongside training, Man United’s stars have been enjoying having freedom in their free time without being mobbed by fans
Delays Due to Autograph Signing
While United is dedicated to rigorous preseason training, they are also focused on engaging with their fans in the USA. As a result, both segments of Friday’s double training session began late due to players signing autographs for supporters who gathered at UCLA.
This delay resulted in Ten Hag postponing his press conference ahead of the upcoming match against Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in LA, scheduled for early Sunday. He explained the situation, stating: ‘Apologies for our tardiness. There were many fans outside, so we took time to sign autographs before the training, which led to a late start, but we had a productive session. We have to keep working. Sorry!’
The first session of the day focused on fitness at Drake Stadium, which features an outdoor gym. The second session emphasized ball skills at the Wallis Annenberg Stadium on the UCLA campus.
Interestingly, Ruud van Nistelrooy led a drill encouraging players to score from the flanks, with bonus points awarded for goals scored from crosses into zoned-off wide areas marked with cones.
Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, new recruit Leny Yoro, and third-choice keeper Tom Heaton were given permission to skip the evening session to manage their workloads.
Ruud van Nistelrooy oversaw a session which focused on trying to score goals from the wing
The likes of Harry Maguire have been allowed to miss sessions to manage their workload
Kobbie and Zirkzee on Holiday
Kobbie Mainoo and United’s new £36.5 million signing Joshua Zirkzee have both found time for a holiday in LA, despite not participating in the club’s preseason tour.
Players who reached the latter stages of the Euros and Copa America are taking a break after their tournaments, with Mainoo’s contribution essential for England reaching the final against Zirkzee’s Netherlands.
However, staff do not anticipate either player joining the camp, as Mainoo and Zirkzee are expected to return at Carrington during the week leading up to the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 10.
Kobbie Mainoo (pictured) and Joshua Zirkzee have been on holiday in LA despite not joining United’s pre-season camp
Jelle Ten Rouwelaar Keeps Goalkeepers Sharp
New goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar is focused on enhancing United’s keepers’ ability to play out from the back, emphasizing flexibility with the ball.
Ten Rouwelaar, who joined this summer from Ajax after a stint at Burnley, has been training with Andre Onana, Tom Heaton, and Radek Vitek at both Carrington and in the US (with Altay Bayindir on holiday following the Euros).
To keep the players alert and ready for high-pressure situations, Heaton noted that the Dutch coach has been instructing them to react in unexpected ways.
‘On my first warm-up day, it involved doing opposites,’ Heaton explained. ‘There would be blue and yellow cones, and depending on his shout, you’d go to the opposite one. When he passed me the ball, if he said right, I had to go left. The next progression involved doing exactly the opposite and then shifting back again, which could confuse the players.’
‘Teams generally have structured ways of pressing, so it’s vital to analyze their numbers and movements, responding accordingly. The focus is on enhancing our awareness and ensuring we undertake the tasks effectively.’
United’s goalkeepers have been drilled on keeping the ball and dealing with a high press
Future US Tours on the Horizon
It’s likely that Manchester United will tour the US and California again next summer for the third consecutive year.
Traditionally, United has alternated their tours across North America, the Far East, Australia, and South Africa to engage their supporters and sponsors.
However, following a new £175 million, three-year shirt sponsorship deal with Snapdragon, replacing TeamViewer based in Germany, United’s commercial interests are now more closely tied to America.
Last summer, Ten Hag’s squad based themselves in San Diego, playing at the Snapdragon Stadium, along with matches in New Jersey, Houston, and Las Vegas.
This year, United established their camp in Los Angeles, where they are set to clash with Arsenal, but they will also play Real Betis at the Snapdragon Stadium before heading east for a match against Liverpool in Columbia, South Carolina.
Normally, the club would seek new destinations next summer, but a return to the US remains a strong possibility given the circumstances.
