The new Manchester United boss dragged his underperforming stars out for a brutal extra session in the heat last Sunday after a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Bradford. 6 Erik ten Hag wants his flops to take their anger out on LiverpoolCredit: Getty Many were worried about ruining their day off – but Ten Hag hope it sparked Bruno Fernandes and Co. The Dutchman said: “I hope they are angry, but angry at themselves, angry at each other for not taking responsibility. “When I say it’s not acceptable, you can’t offer it for yourself, for the team and for all the Man United fans.” Ten Haag decided during a sensational first half that saw them 4-0 up inside 35 minutes that there would be repercussions. The defeat left United in 19th place in the Prem ahead of the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s side this evening. Ten Haag said: “I made the decision on Saturday during the game when I saw the performance. “That’s not the standard for Manchester United – and it’s not my standard. We had to change that. “I had to face the players, remind them that we don’t accept this. Tell them the attitude is not right. FREE BET AND SIGN UP OFFERS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS “It is your obligation to fight for the team and give 100 percent.” The hammering at Brentford followed a 2-1 home defeat by Brighton in their first leg – with United only lifted off the bottom yesterday thanks to defeat at West Ham. Doubts are already growing about the new dawn under their new boss. But Ten Haag has promised tired Manchester United fans that he will turn things around. He added: “I’m not here for myself – I’m here for the club and to restore the club. “I knew before I came that this is a challenge and I wanted that challenge. “I knew before that it would be difficult, but I wanted it because in my career where I started, it was difficult. “But I succeeded and I am convinced that I will succeed here as well. 6 Manchester United sacked for brutal extra training Credit: Getty 6 Jadon Sancho pictured during a drill Credit: Getty 6 Marcus Rashford during a training sessionCredit: Getty “Therefore, I simply choose this project. I know it’s a process and I will stay consistent with the philosophy and the plan we had. “I will maintain my confidence in the partnership I have with the players but also the team around, the coaches and the managers.” And Ten Hag admits he also has to take some responsibility for their awful start to the season. He said: “Don’t get me wrong, when I talk about the players and I want to stress that I’m in the same boat. “When we don’t have the right attitude, I’m not either. Together we win, together we lose.” Ten Haag revealed he has a core group of players he relies on to be leaders on the pitch and warned they must stand up and be counted. He said: “When the attitude is not good from the team, often the leaders are not there as they are the ones leading by example. “This is a point we have to work on here. I knew before I came that this is a challenge and I wanted that challenge. Eric ten Haag “I always work with a group of leaders, not a specific one. I have spoken to United leaders about this matter. “It doesn’t have to be older players, but we have a core group that needs to lead by example and take responsibility.” The performances, particularly this shock one at Brentford, came as a surprise to taskmaster Ten Hag, who could see no signs of it coming during a decent pre-season. They won three and drew once on their tour of Bangkok and Australia before losing to Atletico Madrid in Oslo and drawing Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford. Ten Haag said: “Pre-season we did pretty well – but the first two league games weren’t good enough, that’s clear. “It’s the first time since June 27 that I wasn’t happy and I wasn’t satisfied and I told them that. “We’re now in a process, sometimes you have a drop and you tell them, you confront them and you say, ‘This is unacceptable.’ “It’s a signal, we don’t need to make it bigger. I think now it’s a really long story — but that’s not necessary because, again, it’s the first time it’s happened. “You see the potential of this United team in pre-season, so now we have to work together to get the good performances back on the pitch.” 6 Brentford beat Manchester United 4-0 as they endured a humiliating start to the seasonCredit: Mark Pain / Premium Sport 6 The Old Trafford side have had their worst start in 100 years The problem is that the Red Devils’ players have seemed to lack any confidence since returning to the Premier League. The prospect of playing at Old Trafford now fills them with more dread than their opponents. But Ten Haag said: “It’s not necessary as we have good players and a good squad if they do what they have to do. “In football, it doesn’t always work out the way you plan because you have to face an opponent. “But if you work hard and stick to the plan, the result will come.” Ten Hag have been boosted by the imminent arrival of Real Madrid defensive midfielder Casemiro for an initial £60m – their fourth new signing so far this summer. However, £48.3m defensive signing Lisandro Martinez is already frustrated, with the Argentine’s 5ft 5 height highlighted as a major weakness. The centre-back was withdrawn during the break at Brentford. But Ten Haag said: “He won his aerial duels, his challenges, he was good in passing, but he also made mistakes – as did the whole team. I could have exchanged 11 players.” He’ll have to hope he doesn’t face that prospect tonight or it could be another tough day back at Carrington tomorrow.
