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Erik ten Hag calls for Manchester United to be "more ruthless" after win over Lyon

sportsmole.co.uk, 19 July 2023, 18:07
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that his side "have to be more ruthless" if they are to be successful during the 2023-24 campaign.

The Red Devils played their second friendly of the summer on Wednesday afternoon, recording a 1-0 victory over Lyon, with Donny van de Beek scoring the only goal of the contest in Edinburgh.

Man United had big chances to score in the early stages, but Antony brought a smart save from Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, before Raphael Varane headed over from the resulting corner.

Amad Diallo then had two openings before Mason Mount passed up an opportunity after smart work from Jadon Sancho, with the score remaining goalless until Van de Beek netted early in the second half.

Ten Hag has said that he saw "a lot of positives" in the team's second pre-season match, but the Dutchman has stressed that his team need to make more of their opportunities moving forward.

"I have seen a lot of positives. So it was enjoyable to watch, it was how we want to see our team - front foot, lot of dynamics, be aggressive - so it was a very good game," Ten Hag told MUTV after the clash.

"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."

As was the case against Leeds United last week, Man United had the bulk of their first-team players missing, with the majority not involved having only returned to training on Saturday.

However, the likes of Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford will travel with the squad on their pre-season tour of the United States.

"Yes, the internationals have started training in the last couple of days. 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]," Ten Hag added.

Man United will play four times as part of their pre-season tour, tackling Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund before returning to Europe.

The team's last two friendlies of the summer will be against Lens and Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford and the Aviva Stadium respectively.

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