Manchester United have been told they must improve their finishing for the upcoming campaign after struggling to find the back of the net in their pre-season friendly against Lyon
Erik ten Hag has identified a problem with Manchester United
Erik ten Hag has warned his Manchester United players that they must become more clinical in front of goal if they are to improve on last season.
Ten Hag’s side have flown to the United States to begin the main leg of their pre-season tour after playing friendlies against Leeds in Oslo and Lyon in Edinburgh. United have won both of those matches without conceding a goal and there have been some positive performances for fans to get excited about.
Donny van de Beek scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Lyon on Wednesday, but while Ten Hag was happy with some aspects of the match, he had a familiar complaint in his post-match interview.
“I have seen a lot of positives. So it was enjoyable to watch, it was how we want to see our team – [on the] front foot, [with a] lot of dynamics, be aggressive – so it was a very good game,” he told MUTV.
“So, first half, how we started, three massive chances from the start but that is straight, the criticism, you have to score, you have to net. That was already our problem last year and we have to realise that, we have to be more ruthless and clinical in those situations.
“But we create them and from good pressing and good turnovers, so I’m happy with that. I think in the first half, it was a really competitive game and, in the second half, we totally dominated the game by being in their half, staying in their half and, like you said, there were some young lads who made very good impressions.”
United took the lead when Van de Beek produced a well-taken volley after coming off the bench for Mason Mount. The game provided plenty of opportunities for the club’s young players, who have stepped up from the academy to train with the first-team in recent weeks.
Donny van de Beek scored the only goal vs Lyon (
Image:
Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Most have now returned to Carrington, but Dan Gore, Hannibal Mejbri and Kobbie Mainoo have a place on the plane to the United States.
“Yes, the internationals have started training in the last couple of days,” Ten Hag added. “Today, as well, they had a huge session and now we come together in Edinburgh and then we fly out to New York, then we have one session there and then we go to the game [against Arsenal on Saturday].”
United named their 31-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening. Andre Onana is flying out and will be added to the group after completing his medical.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers : Nathan Bishop, Tom Heaton, Dean Henderson, Radek Vitek.
Defenders : Diogo Dalot, Alvaro Fernandez, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams.
Midfielders : Amad, Antony, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Dan Gore, Hannibal, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, Facundo Pellistri, Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek.
Forwards : Anthony Elanga, Omari Forson, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.
