Ten Hag plans for ‘NASTIER’ Man Utd with star trio set to be axed

Robin Bairner

• 11 Sept 2024 08:45 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants his side to become “nastier”, and in an effort to reach this goal he is prepared to allow three players to depart on free transfers next summer.

The Red Devils have made a disappointing start to the new season, beating Fulham on the opening weekend before falling to defeats against both Brighton and Liverpool, and Ten Hag wants to see a meaner streak from his team.

The Daily Mail reports that the Dutchman wants to see a “nastier” attitude adopted by his team as part of a three-pronged plan to get out of their current situation.

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It states: “The United manager has called on the squad to be more aggressive from front to back to avoid conceding any more soft goals. There was a feeling that United weren’t hard enough last season and needed to develop a meaner streak.

“Secondly, Ten Hag wants United to have more possession, telling his players they need to protect the ball better to control games.”

“Thirdly, Ten Hag has been drumming it into his players to be more positionally aware – a problem that resurfaced at Brighton when Joao Pedro was left unmarked at the far post to head a 95th-minute winner.”

READ MORE: Man Utd issue Ten Hag sack date

Ten Hag plans to release three

Ten Hag is already planning for his squad next season and has taken the decision that Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof will not have their contracts renewed, Metro reports. Both have deals that are up in 2025.

Indeed, it is stated that both players could even be offloaded during the January transfer window, with the pair potentially departing if an attractive offer is forthcoming.

Jonny Evans, meanwhile, is unlikely to have his contract renewed at the end of the season, but this has not been set in stone.